I Met Funke Akindele on Set, Tried to Greet Her but She Slapped Me – Nollywood Actor Finest

Nollywood actor Alhaji Olaide Oladipupo, widely known as Finest, has shared one of the most painful experiences in his career, an incident that almost made him quit acting.

Speaking in an interview with FeelrightNews TV on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, Finest reflected on his journey, struggles, and the lessons learned while trying to establish himself in Nollywood.

According to him, although his passion for acting began early, his entry into the industry came through the Kosoko family. After confiding his dreams to a woman in Lagos, she connected him with Akeem Kosoko, the younger brother of veteran actor Jide Kosoko. Akeem took him under his wing and became his mentor and boss.

Oladipupo recounted that while training under Akeem, he spent years learning the craft and was preparing to graduate from his boss’s mentorship when a painful incident occurred in 2006.

He narrated that he had previously met actress Funke Akindele on a movie set and built a friendly rapport with her. However, things took a shocking turn when they met again at another filming location.

“I was about to graduate from my boss, so I met Sister Funke at one location. I was already free with her until the day we met again at my boss’s location,” he recalled.

“I stretched my hand to greet her and even asked about the job we did last. To my surprise, she slapped me. Tears rolled down my face instantly.”

The actor revealed that the humiliation left him devastated, to the point that he contemplated abandoning acting altogether.

Despite the painful memory, Oladipupo emphasized that the incident did not permanently damage his relationship with Akindele. Over time, she showed him kindness and support, eventually contributing positively to his career.

He explained that while the slap was unforgettable, it turned out to be a defining moment that taught him resilience, patience, and the importance of perseverance in Nollywood.

Oladipupo also expressed gratitude to the Kosoko family for their mentorship, noting that the challenges he faced made him stronger and better equipped for the highly competitive industry.