“How I Made My First N1 Million” – Funke Akindele Recounts Early Career Struggles (VIDEO)

Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has recounted how she made her first N1 million in 1999 after landing the life-changing role of Bisi in the hit TV series I Need to Know.

In a video posted on her Instagram page on Saturday, the award-winning actress reflected on her early struggles in the movie industry, revealing that she started out in 1996 taking up minor “waka pass” roles and attending numerous auditions that often ended in rejection.

“I made that around 1999. I started my career from like 1996, playing waka pass roles, 1997 going for auditions, getting a lot of nos,” she said.

According to Akindele, persistence eventually paid off when she finally secured the role that not only brought her fame but also earned her her first million naira.

“Then I got one big yes with I Need to Know and that is how I got my first N1 million,” she said.

She recalled how she almost lost the role after producers criticized her performance during the pilot shoot, saying she was overacting.

“I almost lost the role ‘Bisi’ in I Need to Know. I shot the pilot of I Need to Know first and I acted so well, and I was waiting for this callback. The callback didn’t come on time. I’m like, ah, okay.

“Then he just called me into the office. I’m like, okay, you’re a fantastic actress, you’re doing so well, but you’re overacting. They told me to go home and read my script, understand the character very well,” she said.

Determined to prove herself, Akindele said she went home worried but decided to practise with her younger sister, who helped her master a more convincing teenage tone for the role.

“I was so worried. I said how am I going to do it now? Then I got home, and I was so moody, and my younger sister was like sister, what’s wrong?

“I said, I Need to Know. They said I’m not talking like a teenager.

“She said ah because I was not a teenager when I was filming I Need to Know. She said ah, let me see the script and she held the script. She started reading.

“So I heard mama speak like a teenager, and immediately, you know, I took in the character and I started speaking like mama and that was how I got the role,” she said.

The actress described receiving her first major pay as a moment of shock and joy.

“So that was how I made my first one million naira. We were paid for an episode, but I will not tell you how much, but all together, ah, I was shocked. I was like me that always jump for bike.”

She said the first thing she did after receiving the money was to show it to her mother, who advised her to pay her tithe before spending it.

“What did I do with one million naira? First, I showed it to my mom. Of course, she knows about it, and then mommy advised and said I have to pay my tithe first,” Akindele said.

The actress said she later went shopping at Yaba market to revamp her wardrobe.

“I paid my tithe, then I entered Yaba because I didn’t have shoes. I didn’t have maybe two or three I had there. I didn’t have good clothes.

“I changed my wardrobe, shoes, bags, everything. The girl that had no shoes yesterday has today,” she added.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DP8qlRujUiG/?igsh=MWRiM3ZlbHNkeWtmbg==