Nigerian actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has revealed how American entertainment mogul Tyler Perry inspired her storytelling journey. She said watching his films helped shape her early approach to writing and filmmaking.

The award-winning filmmaker shared the insight in a post on X. She spoke about the importance of learning from people one admires.

Akindele said Perry played a major role in her creative development.

“I’ve never been ashamed of my humble beginnings, and I never will be,” she wrote.

“Tyler Perry is one of my role models, and I learned a lot from watching his films, especially when it came to storytelling and writing.

“There is absolutely nothing wrong with learning from someone you admire. In fact, that’s how many great journeys begin.”

Finding Her Own Voice

Akindele explained that her growth went beyond learning from others. She said she attended workshops, gained experience and developed her own style over the years.

“Over the years, I broadened my knowledge, attended workshops, sharpened my craft through experience, and found my own voice. And I’m still learning because growth never stops,” she added.

The filmmaker also expressed gratitude to young creatives who draw inspiration from her work.

“Today, many upcoming filmmakers say they’ve learnt from my work, and I’m truly grateful for that. That’s how creativity is passed on. We learn, we grow, and we inspire others.

“Never be ashamed of where you started. Keep learning. Keep growing.”

Record-Breaking Success

Akindele has enjoyed major box office success in recent years. In 2023, Battle on Buka Street became Nollywood’s highest-grossing film after earning N640 million.

She set another milestone in January 2024 when A Tribe Called Judah became the first Nollywood film to gross N1 billion.

Later that year, Everybody Loves Jenifa became the highest-grossing film in West Africa.