Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has opened up about her personal struggles, revealing that she sometimes breaks down emotionally in private despite her success in the entertainment industry.

Akindele made this known during an interview with CNN Africa journalist Larry Madowo, where she discussed the challenges of managing her personal life, dealing with public scrutiny and maintaining her mental health.

Speaking about how she handles difficult moments, the actress admitted that she sometimes withdraws to cry before gathering the strength to carry on with her life.
“I cry. I lock myself in the room, cry, break down, hit the bed. But I just pick up myself and come back to life,” she said.

The filmmaker also spoke about the pressure of having her personal decisions scrutinised by the public, particularly discussions surrounding her marriages and breakups.

“Sometimes I tell myself, ah, you’ve made a mistake again. How are people going to judge you?” she said.
Despite these concerns, Akindele said she has learnt to confront difficult situations rather than allow public opinion to determine how she lives.

“Why don’t I just brace up, face it, face the challenges, move on in life, make yourself happy, do what is right?” she asked.
Her comments offered a glimpse into the emotional challenges she experiences away from the public eye, despite her achievements in Nollywood and her reputation as one of Nigeria’s commercially successful filmmakers.

Beyond the scrutiny surrounding her relationships, Akindele discussed the importance of prioritising mental health as she continues to navigate the demands of her career.
“You have to consider your mental health first, and that’s what I’ve done over the years, and it has helped me,” she said.

The actress also reflected on how her commitment to work had affected other aspects of her life, including her appearance and time with loved ones.
“I was all about work, I’m still about work, but it’s so hard,” she said.
Akindele explained that she is now making a conscious effort to pay more attention to herself and her personal well-being.

“I’m kind of trying to catch my groove back. I am trying to get back. Now I’m more intentional about myself, making my hair, looking good,” she said.
The filmmaker emphasised that professional responsibilities should not come at the expense of personal relationships and self-care.

“You need to take care of yourself, you need to love yourself, you need to have time for your family, your loved ones, because work will go, the family will be there,” she said.

Akindele has built a successful career as an actress, producer and filmmaker, gaining widespread recognition through her portrayal of Jenifa, the lead character in the comedy franchise that has become a major part of her career.

Her latest comments highlight the challenges of balancing professional success with personal well-being, while offering insight into how she has learnt to navigate criticism, emotional difficulties and the demands of public life.