Funke Akindele, the Nollywood actress and filmmaker, has shared her experiences from her early days as an aspiring actress, highlighting how she was frequently denied major roles due to being labeled as “unattractive.”
During a recent episode of the TokeMoments podcast, hosted by Toke Makinwa, Akindele discussed how her physique led to her being rejected for significant roles, even in Yoruba indigenous films. She mentioned that actress Iyabo Ojo came to her aid multiple times when she faced rejections from filmmakers due to her appearance.
Akindele revealed that she was consistently offered minor roles by producers, which often left her in tears. She recounted how people would tell her that she wasn’t attractive, didn’t have a curvy figure, and wasn’t suited for certain film roles. These comments took a toll on her, and she would sometimes find solace in crying alone in the bathroom.