Funke Akindele, a prominent actor and producer celebrated for her recent film release, “Everybody Loves Jenifa,” was once again the center of attention during the premiere of her former lover, collaborator, and fellow actor Femi Adebayo’s much-anticipated movie, “Seven Doors.” This event took place at the Imax Cinema in Lekki Phase 1 on December 11, 2024. Many guests, including cast and crew members, gathered to get a glimpse of the new film, which is slated for release on Netflix tomorrow.
Eyewitness accounts reveal to CITYSPY that; Funke Akindele arrived at the venue accompanied by a group of about five individuals, consisting mainly of her assistants. However, Funke was the only member of her entourage to possess an access tag, as mandated by the event organizers, who had instructed security personnel to prioritize those with tags for crowd control purposes. While Funke and one other individual were allowed entry, the remaining three members of her party were denied access due to the security team not recognizing their association with her.
Instead of engaging with the security staff to clarify the situation—similar to how veteran actor Prince Jide Kosoko managed to gain entry for himself and his daughters, who also lacked tags—Funke reportedly became agitated. She expressed her frustration and abruptly left the event before the premiere started, making her way toward her car. Witnesses noted that many attendees expected her to handle the situation with more composure; after all, the security personnel were simply performing their duties.
As the incident unfolded, several senior actors present at the premiere attempted to intervene, calling Funke in hopes of calming her down and facilitating a resolution. However, she dismissed their concerns, got into her vehicle, and instructed her driver to leave the premises. This display of impatience and disregard for the assistance offered by her peers left a sour taste in the mouths of many attendees, who questioned why Funke Akindele, known to have a cordial relationship with Femi Adebayo, would react in such a manner—especially considering that Femi had supported her at her own movie premiere just days prior.
However, several eyewitnesses countered his perspective, explaining that it was Funke who had escalated a minor issue into something significant, when all that was required was a bit of patience and understanding to resolve the misunderstanding.
The reactions from veteran colleagues within the industry were overwhelmingly negative, as many felt that Funke’s behavior was not only insulting but also unbecoming of someone of her stature. They expressed their disappointment, noting how they had tried to reason with her as she departed the event without acknowledgment. Such responses have sparked discussions among industry peers about the importance of humility and professionalism, especially in public settings.
