Toyin Abraham, a movie producer and actress, has publicly acknowledged the superiority of fellow actress and producer Funke Akindele, seemingly succumbing to pressure.
The acknowledgment comes after what appears to be pressure from fans and industry peers.
In a statement released on Sunday, Abraham opened up about the intense competition that once existed in the Yoruba film industry, shedding light on the rifts and rivalries that often plagued the industry’s top talents.
She reminisced about the days when Akindele held the title of number one, preceding herself, and urged the current generation of actors to avoid the destructive nature of gossip.
“If you guys knew the fierce competition to be number one in those days in the Yoruba industry (I don’t know if that still exists though),.
The intense competition led to the formation of camps, animosity, and a proliferation of professional gossip. The number one cause of fights in the industry then was ‘he said, she said’ before the social media era.”
Abraham continued: “Dear Nollywood people, let me chip this in and stop tearing the industry down with your gossips. You have caused lots of damage with ‘he-said, she-said’. Let me go back to my story.
“In those days of the Yoruba film industry, Funke Akindele was like number one after the likes of Aunty Bukky and Aunty Faithia. I was the next in line.
“The competition was intense, and with many gossips in between, we became competitors and persona non grata. She moved on to the English industry, and I became number one before moving on too.”
Reflecting on her own journey, Abraham admitted to engaging in a competitive spirit with Akindele, fueled by their shared drive for success.
“In the English industry, Aunty Funke and I continued the rivalry, sort of. It pitted our fans against each other. We are two competitive Virgo women; we love to win, and sometimes, in that process, we splash dirt and mud.
“But with time, age, and more wisdom, I have realized we can compete without being negatively competitive.”
Addressing Akindele directly, Abraham offered praise and admiration for her achievements, particularly highlighting her groundbreaking success in the industry.
“Aunty Funke, I celebrate you for showing us what is possible.
“You are a winner. You sold over 1B, you made it possible for other women to dream. You ran us down the street with that 1B. This year, many of us will move to 1B, and we pray God makes you bigger.”
Furthermore, Abraham extended her commendations to Mercy Aigbe, recognizing her contributions to the portrayal of strong women in Nollywood.
“I celebrate the woman that you are becoming. You came to the box office in December as a first-timer, and you proved your mettle.
“You gave it your all. You have contributed to the story of strong women in Nollywood. You made many women proud.”
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