Nigerian actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has revealed that American entertainment mogul Tyler Perry has been a major influence on her approach to storytelling and writing.
In a recent post on her X page, the award-winning actress shared insights into her creative journey, highlighting the importance of learning from those she admires.
Akindele explained that Perry, whom she regards as one of her role models, played a pivotal role in shaping her early filmmaking style. I’ve never been ashamed of my humble beginnings, and I never will be, she wrote.
Tyler Perry is one of my role models, and I learned a lot from watching his films, especially about storytelling and writing. There is absolutely nothing wrong with learning from someone you admire. In fact, that’s how many great journeys begin.
She went on to emphasize that her growth did not stop at imitation. Over the years, Akindele attended workshops, gained practical experience, and continually refined her craft until she discovered her own unique voice.
I broadened my knowledge, attended workshops, sharpened my craft through experience, and found my own voice. And I’m still learning because growth never stops, she added.
Akindele also expressed gratitude for becoming a source of inspiration to aspiring filmmakers. Today, many upcoming filmmakers say they’ve learned from my work, and I’m truly grateful for that. That’s how creativity is passed on. We learn, we grow, and we inspire others. Never be ashamed of where you started. Keep learning. Keep growing.
Her dedication to growth and creativity has translated into remarkable box office success in recent years. In 2023, her film ‘Battle on Buka Street’ became Nollywood’s highest-grossing movie, earning N640 million.
She broke new ground in January 2024, when ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ became the first Nollywood film to gross N1 billion at the Nigerian box office.
Later that year, ‘Everybody Loves Jenifa’ set a new record as the highest-grossing film in West Africa. Most recently, ‘Behind the Scenes’ became her third film to cross the N2 billion mark at the Nigerian box office.
