Frontline Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Funke Akindele, has opened up about the emotional toll of recent personal struggles, including the loss of her mother, the collapse of her marriage, and her defeat in the 2023 Lagos State gubernatorial election.
In an interview shared by With Chude, the actress revealed how she masked her pain while trying to stay strong for the public, until it nearly consumed her.
“I don’t like to mourn. When my mum died, I just wanted to move on quickly. I don’t allow myself to break down, but it caught up with me. After her death, I almost died. My heart was aching,” she confessed.
Akindele also recalled how an online controversy triggered an emotional breakdown. She said false accusations about a colleague who had acted in one of her films pushed her to speak out in frustration.
“For the first time, I went live on Instagram and said, ‘You all should leave me alone. This person acted in my movie, got paid and left. Why are you accusing me of something I didn’t do? Do you even know what I’m going through?’”
The Battle on Buka Street producer described the weight of carrying multiple losses while still being expected to perform publicly.
“I lost my mum, my marriage, and I lost in politics. Yet, I had to go back to work to earn a living. I’m raising children alone, and people are still stressing me,” she said. “For the first time, I cried and broke down for weeks. I was alone, and I refused to eat.”
Akindele’s candid revelations offer a rare glimpse into the hidden emotional battles public figures face, even while keeping up appearances.
AKINDELE: I HAD TO GO BACK TO WORK AFTER MULTIPLE LOSSES
