Banky W, Yemi Alade, 3 Other Nigerian Singers Funke Akindele Turned To Nollywood Actors
Nollywood actress and producer, Funke Akindele-Bello is one of the finest role interpreters Nigeria has ever produced. Her consistency over the years has placed her on a pedestal that can’t be reclined in years to come. The sterling actress has not only made a name for herself but she has had a positive impact on countless personalities in the entertainment industry.
Fans knew little or nothing about Funke Akindele until 2008, when she rose to stardom for playing the role of Sulia in the Jenifa blockbuster that morphed into comedy TV series Jenifa’s Diary. Sulia is a village girl who went to the city and named herself Jenifa.
Funke Akindele has not limited the numerous roles of the TV series to actors alone, but she has been able to draw music artists to the show.
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Even though some believe that these singers can’t portray the role given to them, they left onlookers astounded as they pulled off an excellent delivery of the line given to them by the actress.
Here is a list of Nigerian singers who went on to become popular in Nollywood through Funke Akindele
Falz
Nigerian rapper turned actor, Falz, plays the role of Segun in the TV series. He started as a hairdresser who worked in the same salon with Jenifer. Along the line, the hilarious pairs fell in love and have an affaire. At the 2016 AMVCA awards, the rapper went on to beat actors Ime Bishop, Ik Ogbonna, Kelechi Udegbe and Bowowto Jepthan to win the award for best actor in a comedy for his role in Jenifer Diary.
Tiwa Savage
Singer Tiwa Savage made a cameo appearance in Jenifer Diary season 6. She shared the big screen with Funke Akindele, Yemi Blaq, Falz, and others before her marriage crisis.
Waje
Aituaje Aina Vivian Ebele Iruobe, popularly known as Waje, played the role of a warri tout who is the girlfriend of a cheating man in Jenifa’s Dairy
Banky W
Empire Mates Entertainment CEO, Banky W, is another singer on our list who participated in the success story of Jenifer Diary. He played the role of Jenifer’s lover, Mr. Capable. He went on to perform on Jenifer’s birthday.
JJC Skillz
This is where the couple’s love story all started. Funke featured her now husband, singer JJC Skillz, in the season 5 of Jenifer Diary, where he played the role of her boyfriend who bought her own salon for her, unknown to many that they had something going on between them.
Yemi Alade
Nigerian singer, Yemi Alade also got her Nollywood debut in Funke Akindele’s Omo Ghetto: The Saga. Her role as Mogambo leaves room for the songstress to try out acting again as she aced it.