*Nollywood superstar reveals how a sister’s acting tip and the role of “Bisi” earned her a life-changing first million in 1999.*
In a heartfelt reflection on her humble beginnings, celebrated actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has shared the inspiring story of how she earned her first one million Naira, a windfall that came from her breakout role in the iconic TV series, I Need to Know.
The Nollywood icon recounted starting her career in 1996 with minor “waka pass” (cameo) roles and facing a string of rejections. “I started my career from like 1996… getting a lot of nos,” she recalled. That all changed in 1999 when she landed the role of Bisi, a character that would make her a household name.
However, the role was almost lost. After shooting the pilot, Akindele was called into the producer’s office and told she was “over-acting” and didn’t sound like a teenager. Devastated, she returned home, where a conversation with her younger sister provided the key.
“My younger sister was like, ‘Sister, what’s wrong?'” Akindele shared. Upon hearing the script, her sister began reading the lines with a natural, teenage cadence. “Immediately, you know, I took in the character,” Akindele said. That quick lesson in authenticity secured her the part.
The payment for the series was a shock to the aspiring actress. “All together, ah, I was shocked. I was like, me that always jump for bike?” she laughed, recalling her days of taking commercial motorcycles.
With her first million in hand, Akindele followed her mother’s advice, paying her tithe first before heading to Yaba market to upgrade her wardrobe. “I didn’t have shoes… I didn’t have good clothes,” she admitted, marking a celebratory end to her early struggles and the start of an extraordinary career.
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