Funke Akindele, a Nigerian actress and producer, recalls being denied major roles in movies during her early days because she was labeled as “not fine.”
The mother of two revealed that she was denied major roles in Yoruba indigenous films due to her physical appearance.
On an episode of Toke Moments, a podcast hosted by media personality Toke Makinwa, Funke Akindele shared her experience. She noted that the producers were only giving her little roles, which made her cry.
The “Jenifa’s Diary” star also spoke about how Iyabo Ojo, a colleague, helped her on multiple occasions when she disagreed with directors who rejected her because of her beauty.
Akindele said; “I remember people telling me, ‘You are not fine. You don’t have ass. You don’t have boobs. You will not be in this film. And, I remember crying. A lot of times I would cry, break down, get into the bathroom and cry.”
