Renowned Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Funke Akindele, popularly known as Jenifa, has made a candid and emotional revelation about her struggles with mental health, cyberbullying, and the burden of fame.
In an interview with Chude, Akindele recounted how social media criticism and public false accusations almost drove her over the edge.
Despite her reputation for comedic brilliance and strength on screen, the award-winning actress admitted she had come dangerously close to a mental breakdown.
READ ALSO: Funke Akindele on love, relationships and career.
“I see all the insults on social media. I see all the posts. But I got tougher,” she stated, referencing the frequent trolling and negative commentary she receives online.
However, the tipping point, she said, came during a vacation in Dubai, when she was wrongly accused of being indifferent to the death of a fellow actress who had once featured in her popular sitcom, Jenifa’s Diary.
The deceased, according to Akindele, was someone she had worked with in the past, and social media users were quick to judge and condemn her publicly without knowing the full story.
“But I got to a stage in my life, I almost lost it mentally. Yes, that was the day I went on live video. I was in Dubai with the children—holiday. Julie was there, Juliana, my friends and my PA. And they just called me out for something I didn’t do,” she revealed.
The actress said she was devastated by the accusations, especially since she was already battling depression privately. “She was depressed. You didn’t help her. And I was already depressed,” Akindele recounted tearfully.
In a moment of emotional breakdown, Akindele chose to go on Instagram Live to express herself, a decision she now believes saved her life.
“You know what I did? I took my phone, entered the room, locked the door so that the Julia will not enter. As I’m doing the live video, I locked the door,” she explained.
“Some people lock the door and go and kill themselves. I thank God I could lock the door and go on live video on Instagram,” she added, emphasizing the importance of reaching out rather than suffering in silence.
The actress, who has become a household name across Africa and beyond, used the moment to advocate for mental health awareness and emotional support, particularly in the entertainment industry. “There is no strong person out there. You need to speak up,” she advised.
Her heartfelt confession has sparked a wave of support and empathy online, shedding light on the emotional toll public figures often endure behind the scenes.
As conversations around mental health continue to gain momentum in Nigeria, Akindele’s bravery in sharing her story may serve as a turning point—encouraging others to prioritize their well-being and break the stigma surrounding mental health struggles.
