Nigerian actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has attributed her success and storytelling inspiration to American filmmaker Tyler Perry.
The renowned filmmaker, in a post on X, said that Perry was an early role model whose films she learned a lot from and ultimately shaped her approach to storytelling.
According to her, I am not ashamed of my humble beginnings; nothing is wrong with learning from people you admire.
She also said that she built on a foundation by attending workshops and gaining experience, which helped her develop her own voice.
”I have never been ashamed of my humble beginnings, and I never will be. Tyler Perry is one of my role models, and I learned a lot from watching his films, especially when it came to storytelling and writing.
“There is absolutely nothing wrong with learning from someone you admire. In fact, that’s how many great journeys begin.
”Over the years, I broadened my knowledge, attended workshops, sharpened my craft through experience, and found my own voice. And I am still learning because growth never stops,” she wrote.
The filmmaker further said that she was grateful that upcoming filmmakers cite her work as inspiration, adding that, that was how creativity was passed on.
“Never be ashamed of where you started. Keep learning. Keep growing,” she added.
themomentng reports that Akindele made Nigerian cinematic history by becoming the first Nollywood filmmaker to surpass both the N2 billion and N2.7 billion box office marks.
themomentng also reports that her recent hit, “Behind The Scene,” set a new national record by grossing over N2.7 billion, outperforming her previous record-holding films ”Everybody Loves Jenifa,” ”A Tribe Called Judah,” and ”Battle On Buka Street.”
