Nollywood actress Funke Akindele’s protege, Juliana Olayode, and Paschaline Alex have reacted to Tobi Makinde’s interview about the filmmaker.
Kemi Filani reported that in a BBC interview, Makinde stated that his relationship with Akindele remains strong, despite appearances suggesting otherwise. He explained that social media often leads to the creation of unfounded stories that link individuals to narratives not based on fact.
Makinde said the filmmaker was busy promoting her movie, which is why she couldn’t attend his wedding late last year. He noted that personal growth and progression can lead to changes in relationships, which many misconstrue as fallout. The talented actor and producer said he is open to working with her anytime.
Tobi, via his Instagram page, shared clips from the interview, leaving his colleagues, Paschaline Alex and Juliana Olayode talking.
Juliana Olayode wrote, “Baba see as you fresh
Paschaline Alex wrote, “See freshness guy”.
The two, however, didn’t address his statement about his relationship with the filmmaker, probably because of the bond they share with her.
During Funke’s issue with Toyin, Tobi shared a cryptic post, which says, “Tor”. Though the actor didn’t say much, it was obvious he was referring to the incident between his former boss and her colleague.
In 2023, reports circulated online that Funke and Tobi are having issues because Tobi wanted to explore other fields, but Funke doesn’t want him to work for other productions except hers.
To verify the news, Kemi Filani checked Tobi Makinde’s Instagram page and noticed that Funke Akindele had stopped liking or commenting on his posts, as she used to. Kemi Filani even noticed that she omitted him in her shout-out at her premiere, and he wasn’t in any promotional video or skit for Funke’s movie, A Tr!be Called Judah.
Amid the beef, Makinde debunked the rumours that Funke doesn’t treat her workers right, saying he wouldn’t be where he is today without the love, training, and tutelage of the actress. He stated that the movie star has been so kind to him, and her love for him is not something he will forget in a hurry.
On Funke’s 47th birthday, Tobi described her as a queen and paragon, noting how she set the pace and constantly surpassed each milestone.
When Tobi received high recognition amongst Nollywood stars, Makinde appreciated his mentor, Funke. He thanked her for giving him the platform to be seen and recognised.