“SHE’S UNIQUELY HERSELF” – ENIOLUWA DEFENDS FUNKE AKINDELE
Fast-rising Nigerian influencer Enioluwa Adeoluwa has come to the defense of Nollywood star Funke Akindele, pushing back against the frequent comparisons between her and American actress Taraji P. Henson.
Enioluwa took to his Twitter(X) page to address comments labeling Funke Akindele as the “Nigerian version of Taraji.” While expressing admiration for the Hollywood actress, the influencer and model also voiced his frustration with the tendency to compare Nigerian icons to Western figures for validation.
In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Adeoluwa firmly stated that Funke Akindele is a unique force in her own right, not a version of anyone else. He emphasized her unparalleled success as a box office powerhouse.
“I really don’t like seeing comments calling Aunty Funke the ‘Nigerian version of Taraji P. Henson.’ As much as I love Taraji and admire her work, I don’t understand the constant need to compare our icons to Western figures. Funke Akindele is The Funke Akindele—an unstoppable box office record breaker. She’s not a version of anyone but herself,” he wrote.
The comparison between Funke Akindele and Taraji P. Henson is not new, with netizens often drawing parallels between the two actresses in terms of versatility and screen presence. However, Funke Akindele has consistently proven herself as a dominant force in the Nigerian film industry.
Her recent films, including Everybody Loves Jenifa, A Tribe Called Judah, Battle on Buka Street, and Omo Ghetto: The Saga, have dominated the box office, becoming some of the highest-grossing films in Nigeria and West Africa.
Last year, Funke opened up about the challenges she faced before achieving stardom. Sharing a behind-the-scenes video from the set of her record-breaking film, A Tribe Called Judah, she reflected on her journey. She described herself as a testament to self-belief, highlighting how she overcame numerous obstacles to rise to the top and inspire others.
