They have both accomplished a great deal in the Yoruba and English film industries, broken records with multiple Nollywood productions, and have the longevity that other actresses aspire to. Recently, we have been reminded about their “rivalry” as Toyin Abraham took to social media to put an end to the supposedly beef with Funke.
In her already deleted post, she started off by acknowledging Funke Akindele as the then queen of the Yoruba movie industry and declaring herself Funke’s heir after Funke moved to the English film business. For me, there is no competition; Toyin is simply playing catch up. And to even say there is or was a competition is a reach. In acting, delivery, and even marketing her movies, Funke is way ahead, and I am pretty sure most of the fans agree with me on this.
She then proceeded to address the “beef” originating from the fans pitting them against each other, and then proceeded to offer a post in December to promote Funke’s movie. For someone who says fans are pitting them against each other, it was very convenient for her to drop the poster for Alakada just after Funke dropped the news that the Jenifa movie will be dropping this December. Obviously, Toyin is the only one aware of the rivalry, as she is constantly playing catch-up. In response to her post, Funke just wished her all the best. While some might argue that the response was nonchalant, I am sure she does not view it as a rivalry and wasn’t expecting that epistle of a post.
Because honestly, who even writes a whole post about a competition acknowledged by only the writer? Welp.
Not to take anything from Toyin’s impact on the industry. She is a boss on her own; she has championed so many movies, like “The Born Again Stripper” and “The Ghost and the Tout,” which had a sequel. Ordinarily, she is not a small fry but then again, it feels like she is craving a competition with Funke. And we all know that that’s not in existence.
Both Funke Akindele and Toyin Abraham have shown dedication and hard work in their approach to filmmaking. From casting to marketing, they show that they are dedicated to producing projects of the highest caliber. To see how far ahead Funke is, let us examine each of their individual impacts.
Longevity
I know we are all familiar with this saying, “it is not how far, but how well,” but in this situation, we have to know how far they have been on this acting, as they are both considered to be doing well. For Funke Akindele, most people’s earliest memory of Funke Akindele would be when she featured in the series ‘I Need to Know’, which is way back in 1998 and since then the rest is history. She has worked her way to the top like no man’s business and is running the box office like it is her birthright. All her acting years since her debut will total 26 years.
When it comes to Toyin Abraham, there’s been a tendency for some to underestimate her acting career. It’s puzzling whether her name change led to a collective forgetfulness of her previous work as Toyin Aimakhu, a household name in the Yoruba film industry. Aimakhu, who began acting in 2003, had established herself well before adopting the “Abraham” surname. With a career spanning 21 years, her tenure in the industry is certainly noteworthy and deserves recognition.
In their years of being active, one fact that makes Funke stand out is that she has had a major movie or series that featured her since her debut until 2024. That’s a crazy stat right there. The level of consistency is insane.
In terms of range, for me, Funke Akindele has probably acted in every role possible as an actress, and she has killed all. From portraying a student to an agbero and even a rebellious village woman, Funke has effortlessly embodied a wide spectrum of characters. Her standout performance in “Omo Ghetto” further solidified her position as a top-tier actress, although, to be honest, there was never any doubt about her talent.
Range and Versatility
On the other hand, opinions vary regarding Toyin’s versatility as an actress. While some may argue that she displays versatility in her roles, others may disagree. There’s a perception among some viewers that she tends to portray characters in a similar manner, often characterized by excessive shouting or “overacting.” While I do sort of agree with these opinions, I’d also like to say that Toyin is a good actress who has standout roles. I found her performance in “Elevator Baby” to be particularly impressive; it wasn’t even surprising she won an AMVCA for her performance in the movie.
Box Office Success
When it comes to box office success, Funke Akindele is undeniably a force to be reckoned with. This woman has done so much and worked so hard that she is responsible for the highest-grossing movie in cinema history in Nigeria, A Tribe Called Judah. What’s crazy and even more impressive is that her movie, Battle on Buka Street, was the previous holder of this record. She is literally breaking her own records. It is safe to say she is the “BIG ME” of Nollywood.
On the other hand, Toyin’s highest grossing film is Malaka, which made 300 million naira at the box office. Even the 300m isn’t a small feat; it’s a big deal for her. I am sure that is why she feels the need to see Funke as a competitor, because it gives her the impression that she is close to her.
While Toyin Abraham has also enjoyed successes at the box office, including notable achievements, Funke’s dominance is unmatched. With her involvement in the top three highest-grossing Nollywood movies of all time, Funke Akindele is the queen of the box office.
Impact on Industry and Cultural Representation
When it comes to impact on the industry and cultural representation, both Funke Akindele and Toyin Abraham have made notable contributions. Funke Akindele’s series, such as “Jenifa” and “Industreet,” have not only entertained audiences but have also provided a platform for emerging actors to showcase their talent and gain recognition. These series have sparked conversations about various societal issues and have helped shed light on different aspects of Nigerian culture and urban life. Toyin, I would say, is also supportive of the new-age actors and her movie, Alakada has tackled issues about peer pressure.
Additionally, I would say that these women have no intention of slowing down anytime soon because they have both elevated their game by starting their own production companies. FAAN, known as Funke Akindele Network, represents a 360-degree approach to filmmaking and production, as well as providing PR solutions for films. Under FAAN, “Battle on Buka Street” and “A tribe called Judah” have been released and a new movie is under way, “Finding Me.” I am so hyped about this, as the cast rollout has been insane. Toyin Abraham is not slacking in this, as she is the owner of Toyin Abraham Productions, under which Ijakumo was released.
Awards and Achievements
In terms of awards, Funke Akindele has the most wins at award shows. Funke Akindele has won several AMVCAs over the years, including multiple Best Actress in a Comedy awards for her role in “Jenifa’s Diary” and other works. She has a Zulu African Film Academy Award and an Africa Movie Academy Award in her name, among other numerous awards. While Toyin, according to Wikipedia, has just 2 major wins in her name,. An Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Award win for her performance in “Elevator Baby” and a Five Continents International Film Festival award for her role in “Hakkunde”.
Jenifa Vs Alakada
Lastly, let’s address the elephant in the room. Alakada vs. Jenifa. Both movies have sequels dropping around the same time this year. Honestly speaking, I’m sure most of us are tired of both franchises. When they both started, it was all fun and laughter, and we all had a good time watching them, but now it’s time to wrap things up.
When considering the impact of each franchise, it’s clear that “Jenifa” has paved the way for other series and movie sequels, establishing itself as a trailblazer in Nigerian cinema. I mean, people were literally having conversations with “the Jenifa.”. Following this, Alakada and Omoge Osas by Mercy Aigbe were released, and they had something in common. The main characters acted in a similar manner to Jenifa; even their ways of speaking were similar.
While both franchises continue to entertain audiences, “Jenifa” holds a significant place as a pacesetter for “Alakada” and similar projects. Since they are not showing signs of wrapping it up soon, the truth is, when they’re both released, I will be seated with popcorn in hand, ready to revisit this comparison once again.
The final take will be that both are daring filmmakers, actresses, directors, and producers, and I think they have earned every achievement in their names. It is amazing that we have these women killing it in the movie industry, breaking barriers, and hungry to reach greater heights. It simply provides aspiring actresses with the self-assurance they require to stay focused on their career.
Lastly, there is no competition or rivalry in sight between both of them.
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