Mercy Aigbe Faces Backlash For Not Mentioning Funke Akindele In Career Interview

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Mercy Aigbe Faces Backlash For Not Mentioning Funke Akindele In Career Interview

Nigerian actress Mercy Aigbe recently stirred up conversation after she chose not to mention Funke Akindele’s name while discussing her career journey. Appearing as a guest on the show Oyinmomo, Mercy opened up about her entry into the Yoruba film industry.

During the interview, Mercy shared that her transition into the Yoruba movie scene was encouraged by a fellow actress who advised her to focus on this sector instead of the English-speaking film industry, which she found challenging to break into.

“I began in the English film industry, but it was tough. A friend, who’s also an actress, approached me and said, ‘Mercy, you’re beautiful and speak Yoruba fluently. Why not try your hand at the Yoruba movie industry?'” she recalled. “I was feeling discouraged and even thought of abandoning my career to seek a regular job.”

When asked to identify the actress who helped her make the move to Yoruba films, Mercy chose not to name her, though she confirmed that they remain friends. This decision sparked curiosity, especially after netizens resurfaced an earlier interview where Mercy had specifically named Funke Akindele as the person who encouraged her.

In the previous interview, Mercy had recalled meeting Funke on a movie set, where the Jenifa star advised her to pursue a career in Yoruba films due to her fluency in the language. Funke also introduced Mercy to several producers, which helped her career take off in 2006.

The contrast between the two interviews—one where Mercy openly credits Funke for her breakthrough and the other where she refrains from naming her—has drawn mixed reactions online. Many users have voiced their opinions on the matter, with some praising Funke for her support, while others raised concerns about the reluctance to publicly acknowledge such help.

In response to the discussions, one Twitter user praised Funke for her generosity, while another commented on how certain acts of kindness are often kept private.

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