“I Was Shaking”- Funke Akindele Recalls First On-Camera Moment With Kate Henshaw

Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has shared a touching memory of how veteran actress Kate Henshaw played a key role in easing her nerves during her very first on-screen experience.

Speaking in an interview with BellaNaija, Funke recalled her early days on set while working on Naked Wire, a film produced by Opa Williams. She explained that she was extremely nervous during her first scene, which involved delivering a line to Kate Henshaw while Yibo Koko was also part of the scene.

According to her, Kate noticed her anxiety and stepped in with reassuring words that helped her regain confidence.

“My first day in front of a camera was with Kate Henshaw and Yibo Koko years ago on a movie titled Naked Wire, produced by Opa Williams. I was so jittery and scared,” she said. “In the scene, Yibo Koko told me to tell Kate Henshaw that he was in love with her, and I was shaking badly. Kate just called me and asked, ‘What’s your name?’ I said, ‘Funke ma.’ She told me, ‘Calm down, you can do it.’ And I did it, and it was beautiful.”

Funke also spoke about her admiration for American singer, songwriter, and producer Robin Thicke, revealing him as her celebrity crush. She even playfully sang along to his 2006 hit Lost Without U, noting his charm while adding humorously that he is now older.

The award-winning filmmaker, who has made history in Nollywood by recording blockbuster box office earnings Behind the Scenes (₦2.41 billion), A Tribe Called Judah (₦1.41 billion), and Everybody Loves Jenifa (₦1.88 billion) also addressed misconceptions about her earnings from cinema success.

She clarified that gross earnings do not translate directly into personal profit.

“First time making 1 billion: that 1 billion is on paper. They didn’t give me the full money because cinemas took their share, everyone took their share, so I went home with some money. But still, it was exciting and I’m grateful to God,” she explained.

Funke further shared a lighthearted glimpse into her daily routine, revealing that she usually starts her day with electrolytes and water, while joking about having other “professions” aside from acting and filmmaking.

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Read some comments below:

@Ibelema Jumbo:”That means I’d been mistaking you for the main actress in the teenage film, ‘I Need to Know’. I first saw the film on TV in the 1990s. Please, I’m interested in Kate’s reply to Yibo’s message. Very important.”

@Oma Jecinta:”Reasons why one of my things to do before I leave this earth is “meet Aunty Kate.”

@Rani Diamond Augustine:”I just remembered one of the lecturers supervising post ume back then, she came to where I was sitting and told me, fine girl you will pass and I made it.”

@Ifeoma Sandra:”Just one word can encourage someone. Let’s be kind to one another. Don’t look down on anybody. Don’t talk down on anybody. Be kind with your words. I’m sure Kate didn’t know what that word of encouragement meant to Funke at that point. If she had said one discouraging word to her back then, see wetin we for miss. I for not dey enjoy Jenifa” diary wey dey give me joy now. God bless you Kate.”