Award-winning actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has responded to a social media user who suggested that her films closely resemble the storytelling style of acclaimed Hollywood filmmaker Tyler Perry.
The exchange unfolded on X after Akindele shared a reflective post about her filmmaking journey, openly acknowledging Perry as one of the people who inspired her career while emphasizing that she has since developed her own creative voice.
In the post, the filmmaker said she has never hidden the fact that she drew inspiration from those she admired, describing learning from role models as a natural part of artistic growth.
“I’ve never been ashamed of my humble beginnings, and I never will be. Tyler Perry is one of my role models, and I learnt a lot from watching his films, especially in storytelling and writing.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with learning from someone you admire. In fact, that’s how many great journeys begin.
“Over the years, I broadened my knowledge, attended workshops, sharpened my craft through experience, and found my own voice. And I’m still learning because growth never stops.
“Today, many upcoming filmmakers say they’ve learnt from my work, and I’m truly grateful for that. That’s how creativity is passed on. We learn, we grow, and we inspire others.
“Never be ashamed of where you started. Keep learning. Keep growing.”
While many fans praised her honesty, one X user argued that although learning from Tyler Perry is commendable, Akindele should also move beyond some of the storytelling habits often associated with the American filmmaker.
According to the critic, both filmmakers tend to overemphasize certain themes, adding that many of Akindele’s movies revolve around similar character types.
The user wrote:
“Critics are being very mean, but there is a reason why they share those opinions. Tyler Perry, while an extraordinary filmmaker, tends to overstretch certain themes in his movies. It is also prevalent in your own movies to pick one theme and flog it to exhaustion.
“For character development, it seems you play three different versions of yourself in every movie: variations of Jennifer, boss lady, or suffering woman. You probably picked up that habit subconsciously from consuming too much Tyler Perry. It’s either Madea (funny boss woman) or Straw/Acrimony (suffering black woman).
“The point is you can pay homage to your idols, but you have to improve on their flaws, not imitate them.”
Rather than engage in a lengthy debate, Akindele offered a short but pointed response, questioning whether the critic had actually watched some of Tyler Perry’s earlier productions.
She replied:
“Seen I CAN DO BAD ALL BY MYSELF!!! or DIARY OF A MAD BLACK WOMAN!!!!”
Her response has since sparked online reactions, with fans divided over the comparison. While some agreed that every filmmaker naturally draws inspiration from those who came before them, others argued that Akindele has built a distinct identity through her own storytelling style and commercially successful productions.
Over the years, Funke Akindele has established herself as one of Nollywood’s most successful filmmakers, with several box-office hits to her name. Her openness about Tyler Perry’s influence also reflects a broader reality within the creative industry, where many writers, directors and actors publicly acknowledge mentors and inspirations while gradually developing their own signature style.
For Akindele, learning from an icon has never been something to hide. Instead, she sees it as part of the creative journey—one that eventually leads every storyteller to discover a voice of their own.
