Funke Akindele Recounts Being Snubbed By Influencer For 'Everybody Loves Jenifa'

Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has revealed a frustrating encounter with a content creator while promoting her 2024 blockbuster movie, 'Everybody Loves Jenifa'.

She shared the experience while speaking at the Creative Africa Nexus Weekend (CANEX WKND).

Akindele stated that she reached out to the influencer to propose a content collaboration, noting that she was initially hesitant to send the message but decided to try.

The filmmaker recalled that the individual replied, stating that their management did not want them to do it. According to her, she offered to pay, but the influencer ignored her.

The box office queen noted that months later, she read a story claiming she had blocked someone because of the situation. Akindele stated that she did not let the incident affect her or bother replying to the rumors.

The movie star revealed that instead, she embraced it, asked God to take control, and simply got back to her work.

She said:
"I sent a message to this influencer saying I would like to create content. I didn’t want to send this message. This was during Everybody Loves Jenifa, but I tried."

"The person replied and said, ‘Oh, I’m sorry, my management does not want me to do this.’ I said, ‘Please, I’ll pay.’ The person ignored me."

"Months after, I read that I had blocked somebody because of this, I didn’t let it affect me. I embraced it. I didn’t go and reply. I just said, God, take control. I got back to it."

Everybody Loves Jenifa' was released on December 13, 2024.

The film, directed by Akindele and Tunde Olaoye, featured actors including Nancy Isime, Stan Nze, Falz, Lateef Adedimeji, Jackie Appiah, and Patience Ozokwor.

It grossed N1.88 billion at the Nigerian box office, according to reports.