Toyin Abraham Quashes The Beef Between Herself and Funke Akindele

Image: X

Nollywood Actress and filmmaker, Toyin Abraham Ajeyemi has ended the lingering discord between herself and fellow filmmaker and actress, Funke Akindele. In a recent post on her X handle, Toyin shared a reflective message about her journey in both the Yoruba and English film industries, shedding light on the competitive environment that once existed between them.

She recalled the competitive nature of the Yoruba film industry, where Funke Akindele was regarded as a top figure after established veterans like Bukky Wright and Faithia Balogun. Toyin acknowledged that their rivalry stemmed from industry gossip and divisions that were prevalent at the time.

As time passed, Funke transitioned to the English film industry while Toyin continued to make a name for herself in Yoruba cinema. Despite their ongoing rivalry, both actresses matured and came to understand that competition could be positive and uplifting without resorting to negativity.

Toyin commended Funke for her remarkable achievements, especially in breaking box office records and inspiring other women in the industry. She expressed admiration for Funke's work ethic and determination, noting that Funke's success has motivated her to aim higher in her own career.

In conclusion, Toyin celebrated Funke's accomplishments and expressed her heartfelt wishes for Funke's dreams to come true. She also playfully mentioned owing Funke a post in December, indicating her intention to publicly support and celebrate Funke's achievements.

Toyin shared the lengthy post via her X handle with Funke Akindele's picture as follows:

"If you guys knew the fierce competition to be number one in those days in the Yoruba industry (I don’t know if that still exists though). The fierce competition created camps, enmity, and many professional gossips. The number one cause of fights in the industry then was ‘he said, she said’ before the social media era. Dear Nollywood people, let me chip this in, stop tearing the industry down with your gossips. You have caused lots of damage with ‘he-said, she-said’. Let me go back to my story. In those days of the Yoruba film industry, Funke Akindele was like number one after the likes of Aunty Bukky and Aunty Faithia. I was the next in line. The competition was much and with many gossips in between, we became competitors and persona non grata. She moved on to the English industry, I became number one before moving on too (A word of advice to young actors of today, no one will be number one forever. It doesn’t mean you fall down the pecking order, it might just be that you move on to bigger things. E rora tele bashubashu. You don’t own the industry, the industry is bigger than you). In the English industry, Aunty Funke and I continued the rivalry sort of. It pitted our fans against each other. We are two competitive Virgo women, we love to win and sometimes in that process, we splash dirt and mud. But with time, age, and more wisdom, I have realized we can compete without being negatively competitive. Aunty Funke, I celebrate you for showing us what is possible. You are a winner. You sold over 1B, you made it possible for other women to dream. You ran us street with that 1B o, this year, many of us will move to 1B and we pray God makes you bigger. Thank you for making great movies and selling them like your life depends on it. You taught other women to hustle harder. I had set records in box office records, Aunty came and beat them, today I am happy because she has challenged me to set higher goals. Sis, let’s compliment each other even in competition at the box office, I owe you one post in December (only 1 o, I need to sell market…Lol). I pray that God will make all your dreams come true. I admire you and wish you all the best.

With Love, T!"

See the post below:

If you guys knew the fierce competition to be number one in those days in the Yoruba industry (I don’t know if that still exists though). The fierce competition created camps, enmity, and many professional gossips. The number one cause of fights in the industry then was ‘he said,… pic.twitter.com/iSjtaK6o1T

— TOYIN ABRAHAM AJEYEMI (@toyin_abraham1) April 21, 2024

Source: X

#Toyin Abraham
#Funke Akindele
#Nollywood
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