Nollywood actress cum film filmmaker, Toyin Abraham, recently rekindled interaction with fellow actress/ movie maker Funke Akindele, sparking speculations of a quashed beef which had lingered for years.
This comes after Akindele shared a video of herself vibing to Olamide’s song ’99’ featuring Seyi Vibez, Young Jonn, and Asake on her Instagram page. Reacting to the post, Toyin wrote in the comment section, “Aunty Funke, you hot ooo.”
In a playful exchange, Akindele responded with “Toyin lol, onijogbon, Thanks dear,” confirming there was no animosity between the two.
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The interaction between the duo sparked excitement among fans, with one writing, “Eyin fans isonu oya make una rest … tor Oluwaseun,” which loosely translates to “You senseless fans should relax now, thank God.”
It is no secret that fans have viewed the actresses as staunch rivals in the industry over the years, mainly due to several factors, including their prominence and success as filmmakers, as well as their growing box office numbers. Undoubtedly, they are both exceptional actresses. Their fans, mostly unrelenting, often compare the duo, which has, over time, built animosity between the two camps.
The actresses who are among the top three female contenders in Nollywood do not help matters as each tries to outdo the other with their projects. It was speculated that the quiet feud between them swirled in 2021 after Abraham released ‘The Ghost and the Tout Too’ in 2021, shortly after Funke Akindele’s “Omo Ghetto: The Saga’ became a significant success in Nollywood, according to Film Efiko.
However, in 2023, in a bid to foster unity among successful female filmmakers, Toyin Abraham, realising they can both thrive without negativity, acted maturely by congratulating Akindele after her movie, ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ crossed the N1 billion mark at the Nigerian box office, becoming the highest-grossing Nollywood film of all time.
But, how did Akindele respond? She sent a brief, cold message, lacking any sense of solidarity: “Toyin baby, all the best, dear,” she stated.
Although several reports alleged that Abraham’s call for unity had quelled the animosity between the duo, many, however, speculated that Akindele wanted no part of it. This is true in her short and brief interactions with Abraham, as she never initiated a conversation or interaction since Abraham’s public appeal.
Despite Akindele’s apparent detachment from the supposed female ‘partnership’, Abraham has continued to extend her hands. At first, it was sweet and beautiful to see, but now, it feels out of order, especially with Akindele’s perceived distance.
But will she stop? Hopefully, Akindele comes around and gets comfortable enough to solidify a more balanced and true partnership with Abraham. Until then, the ‘Alakada bad and boujee’ movie maker believes that Akindele is a winner, one who made it possible for other women to dream.