The Nollywood actress and producer Funke Akindele has talked candidly about her traumatic encounters with cyberbullying.
The record-breaking filmmaker discussed how her married life was the subject of social media criticism during her speech at the WithChude Live event in Lagos.
The 47-year-old described how she was once on the verge of an emotional collapse due to hurtful remarks she saw online.
Akindele revealed that she was constantly made fun of by several women, and the nasty remarks had a profound effect on her.
The movie star, however, said when she realised she couldn’t endure the pain alone, she sought professional help.
“There was a video on social media that some women mocked me that I do not have a husband. My God. I see all the insults on social media. I see all the posts that show how I left one husband for another one,” she said.
“I cried, cried, and cried. I just told myself, you need to speak to someone about this. You cannot continue like this.
“I told myself that I needed to speak, I reached out, and I started speaking.
“After then, I felt better. Things I could not tell people out there. I spoke to my therapist and I was better.”
The ‘Jenifa’s Diary’ star emphasised the importance of mental health support, urging people in similar situations to speak up.
“So, I want to advise you out there. It is very important for you to speak up. You need it. You can not take everything. I am a very strong person now. I have that strength to face any challenges in life,” she said.
Akindele disclosed that she she channeled the mockery into art “and even produced a film from that experience”.
“After the whole blackmailing, I got tougher. I started putting the story about my life into writing, even though I almost lost it mentally, but I used the mockery to produce a film,” she added.
