Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Funke Akindele, has explained why she rarely attends parties or social gatherings, revealing that her unwavering commitment to work required her to sacrifice much of her personal and social life.
The actress made the revelation in an interview with Bella Naija, conducted four days before the clip resurfaced on X on Monday.
The interview has since sparked fresh conversations about the level of dedication needed to succeed in Nigeria’s film industry.
According to Akindele, the remarkable success of her latest blockbuster, Behind The Scenes, which grossed more than ₦2.7 billion, came after months of relentless hard work, sleepless nights and total commitment.
“So for me to get all these achievements, for the last movie to cross ₦2.7 billion, it was a lot of sleepless nights for me. A lot of sacrifice, giving my all. I forget to eat sometimes,” she said.
She noted that her work ethic left little room for leisure or social engagements.
“When I say a lot of work, a lot of giving your all into work,” she said.
Explaining why she stays away from parties, Akindele said she devoted nearly every aspect of her life to building her career.
“I abandoned myself for work. I don’t even make my hair, except I’m going on the red carpet or for something very important. I don’t attend parties. I don’t go to greet people at home. I put everything into work — research, writing, work. I’m neck deep into work.”
The award-winning filmmaker, however, disclosed that she has recently begun prioritising self-care after years of putting work first.
“It’s just now that I’m relaxed, feeling fresh, doing the skincare routine, looking beautiful, smelling nice,” she said.
The resurfaced interview generated mixed reactions on X, with many users praising Akindele’s discipline and commitment, while others said her comments reflected the level of sacrifice often required to achieve lasting success in the entertainment industry.
Among those who reacted, #pamilhereen described the actress as “a very focused woman,” adding, “She’s so smart and intelligent.”
Another user, #richyz_official, commented, “This what will called? Self determination.”
