Winner of the recently concluded Big Brother Naija Season 10, Opeyemi Ayanwale, popularly known as Imisi, has opened up about her biggest inspiration in the Nigerian entertainment industry. The reality star expressed deep admiration for the award-winning actress, producer, and filmmaker Funke Akindele, describing her as her “number one mentor” and a significant influence in her journey. During her post-show media rounds, Imisi shared that collaborating with Funke Akindele has been one of her biggest dreams since she began pursuing her career in the entertainment world. She stated that Funke’s resilience, creativity, and ability to consistently deliver powerful stories in Nollywood have motivated her to push beyond limits. According to the BBNaija winner, Funke Akindele’s work ethic and versatility are qualities she hopes to emulate in her future projects. Imisi highlighted that watching Funke transition from an actress in the popular sitcom Jenifa’s Diary to a record-breaking movie producer with projects like Battle on Buka Street and A Tribe Called Judah has been incredibly inspiring. She said, “Funke Akindele is my number one mentor. I’ve learned a lot from her journey, her growth, and the way she keeps breaking barriers in Nollywood. Working with her someday will be a dream come true for me.” Imisi further expressed her commitment to following in Funke’s footsteps by venturing into acting and movie production soon. She added that her goal is not just to become famous but to create impact-driven projects that tell meaningful stories, just like her role model. Since emerging as the Big Brother Naija Season 10 winner, Imisi has been making waves with media appearances and endorsement opportunities. Her openness about her admiration for Funke Akindele has earned her praise from fans who commend her humility and vision. Funke Akindele, on the other hand, remains one of Nollywood’s most influential figures, with multiple accolades and record-breaking achievements in the Nigerian box office. Her latest production, A Tribe Called Judah, became the highest-grossing Nigerian movie in history, solidifying her status as a powerhouse in African cinema. As fans eagerly anticipate possible collaborations between the two, Imisi’s revelation sheds light on how Funke Akindele continues to shape the next generation of creatives in the entertainment industry.
Nollywood icon Funke Akindele has spoken out candidly about her struggles as a single mother, revealing that she is solely responsible for raising her children after separating from her estranged husband, Abdulrasheed Bello, popularly known as JJC Skillz. In a heartfelt interview with Nigerian media personality Chude Jideonwo, the actress shared emotional details about her personal journey through grief, heartbreak, and public criticism. Marriage Breakdown and Custody Challenges Funke Akindele and JJC Skillz got married in 2016 and welcomed their twin boys in 2018. However, in June 2022, JJC publicly confirmed the end of their marriage via Instagram, stating that the couple had decided to live separate lives. “We still have unresolved matters regarding the custody and well-being of our children, as well as business interests,” JJC Skillz wrote during the announcement. Despite these words, Funke disclosed that she is now fully handling the responsibilities of parenting without his involvement. Funke Akindele Talks About Depression, Loss, and Pressure In the emotional video interview, Funke recounted how deeply affected she was by several life events that occurred simultaneously, including the loss of her mother and her defeat in the 2023 Lagos gubernatorial elections, where she contested as a deputy governor candidate. “After my mother passed, I didn’t want to mourn too long. But suppressing those emotions almost killed me,” she confessed. The popular actress said that dealing with grief, divorce, political defeat, and her role as a mother left her mentally and emotionally exhausted. “I have to keep working. I must provide for my kids. I’m raising them alone while also trying to stay sane, and then people online were still dragging me. For the first time, I broke down completely,” she added. Toxic Public Reactions and Online Bullying Funke revealed she was falsely accused online over a matter related to a cast member she had worked with. She clarified that the actor in question was merely a professional colleague, and the accusation was baseless. “This person came to act in my movie, got paid, and left. I had nothing to do with their personal issues. Yet I was accused online—at a time I was mourning and barely surviving.” She highlighted how these online attacks added to her emotional trauma and forced her to speak out live on social media for the first time in her career. Support, Strength, and Moving Forward Despite all the challenges, Funke Akindele emphasized her resolve to move forward and continue building her career while being a dedicated mother. “I have to work, I have to raise my boys, and I have to be strong for them,” she said with resilience. ? Related Articles READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Chanel.
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Funke Akindele’s Blockbuster ‘Everybody Loves Jenifa’ Hits ₦1 Billion in 19 Days In a remarkable feat, Funke Akindele’s latest movie, Everybody Loves Jenifa, has smashed records at the West African box office, raking in an astounding ₦1 billion within just 19 days of its release. With an impressive 201,604 ticket admissions, the film has captured 40% of December’s box office revenue, achieving total earnings of ₦1,034,091,220. This historic milestone makes it the fastest Nollywood film to cross the billion-naira mark, cementing Funke Akindele’s position as one of the industry’s most accomplished producers. A Blockbuster Across Nigeria and Ghana The movie’s resounding success has placed it among the top box office hits of 2024 across Nigeria and Ghana, further affirming Funke Akindele’s extraordinary ability to connect with diverse audiences. The overwhelming reception highlights the actress and producer’s unmatched influence in Nollywood. Funke Akindele Expresses Gratitude Celebrating this significant achievement, Funke Akindele shared her excitement and gratitude with fans on social media. In a heartfelt tweet, she said: “GOD DID!!! Thank you, Jenifans, for supporting Everybody Loves Jenifa! We couldn’t have gotten here without you. Keep watching in all cinemas nationwide!” Her message was met with an outpouring of love from fans and industry colleagues alike, marking this milestone as a moment of pride for Nollywood. A Global Phenomenon The success of Everybody Loves Jenifa extends beyond Africa. Within eight days of its international release on December 20, the movie grossed $194,560 (about ₦300 million) across the UK, US, Canada, and other markets. Major cities like London and New York witnessed sold-out screenings, reflecting the film’s universal appeal. Funke Akindele’s masterful combination of humor, drama, and social commentary has resonated with global audiences, solidifying her reputation as one of Nollywood’s most influential figures. The Future of Nollywood This groundbreaking success not only highlights the growth of Nollywood but also underscores the industry’s potential to produce globally appealing content. Funke Akindele’s accomplishment sets a new benchmark, inspiring filmmakers across the region to dream bigger and aim higher. READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Chanel.
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Funke Akindele’s latest movies, “Everybody Loves Jenifa” and “Alakada! Bad and Boujee,” shattered Nigerian box office records, earning over ₦1 billion in a single week. Discover the details behind this milestone. Funke Akindele has set a groundbreaking milestone in Nigerian cinema with her latest movies, Everybody Loves Jenifa and Alakada! Bad and Boujee. Together, these films have propelled Nigerian cinemas to unprecedented heights, generating ticket sales exceeding ₦1 billion within a single week. Nigerian Box Office Achieves Record-Breaking Sales According to Nile Media Entertainment Group, between December 20 and 26, 2024, Nigerian cinemas raked in a historic ₦1.02 billion. This remarkable achievement highlights the growing appeal of Nollywood films both locally and globally. “Today, we celebrate an incredible milestone: the Nigerian box office surpassing ₦1 billion in a single week,” announced Nile Media, reflecting the industry’s rapid growth. Everybody Loves Jenifa: A Record-Breaking Film Funke Akindele’s Everybody Loves Jenifa has dominated the charts with a total of 153,800 tickets sold by December 26. In just 14 days, the movie amassed an impressive ₦782.8 million, positioning it to surpass the ₦1 billion mark faster than Akindele’s previous hit, A Tribe Called Judah, which achieved the milestone in 21 days. Notably, Everybody Loves Jenifa became the fastest Nollywood movie to gross ₦500 million, reaching the milestone in only 12 days. Its international appeal also shone, earning $100,000 during its opening weekend across nine countries, including the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia. December 26: The Highest-Grossing Day in History December 26, 2024, marked the highest-grossing day in Nigerian box office history, with ticket sales reaching ₦256.4 million. Over 47,500 tickets were sold, making it the third-highest ticket sales day on record. Unprecedented Success for Multiple Titles Throughout the record-breaking week, Everybody Loves Jenifa became the first Nollywood film to gross over ₦100 million in a single day, shattering its prior record of ₦89.8 million. Other high-performing titles included: In addition, multiple films exceeded significant milestones within the week: A Triumph for Nollywood Nile Media praised this achievement, noting that the ₦1.02 billion figure is a testament to the passion, creativity, and resilience of Nigeria’s film industry. As Nollywood continues to gain global recognition, its capacity to produce record-breaking films like Funke Akindele’s proves its potential for even greater success in the future. READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Chanel.
