“I’m incredibly sorry for how I hurt you” – Actress Juliana Olayode tenders public apology to Funke Akindele; she reacts

Popular Nollywood actress, Juliana Olayode, has publicly offered her apologies to her senior colleague, Funke Akindele.

It is worth recalling that Juliana gained prominence through her portrayal of Toyosi in Funke Akindele’s renowned sitcom, ‘Jenifa’s Diary’. However, their professional relationship experienced a rift in 2017 due to an undisclosed issue.

After several years, Juliana Olayode took to Instagram on Saturday night to share a lengthy post expressing her profound regret. In her heartfelt message, she offered a sincere apology to Funke Akindele, acknowledging the pain she had caused her.

Furthermore, Juliana addressed the underlying issues that had prompted her departure from the series, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding her withdrawal.

“As a teenager, my career in the mainstream entertainment industry started in a place that many people who have put in years of hard work could only dream of. How could a neophyte start from the mainstream if not for a miracle?

In my case, the mercy of God and unmerited favor was evident. I broke into the industry by playing a friend and co-lead with a screen goddess who had put in decades of hard work and unprecedented creativity, even at that time.

God used Aunty Funke Akindele @funkejenifaakindele to put me into the limelight. It was a shocker for me, especially at that tender age when I had barely left secondary school. The kind of fame I earned from playing Toyosi in Jenifa’s Diary was too enormous for my understanding.

However, the lack of industry know-how started manifesting in me, coupled with the fact that I had a guardian (manager) who didn’t understand how the entertainment industry works, and I believed anything he felt and said.

My guardian sent an email to Scene One TV, the producers of the sitcom, the entire content of which I wasn’t aware of until recently.

The story of my goofs at the start of my career cannot be exhausted in a million words. I want to use this opportunity to apologize to Aunty Funke Akindele. Ọmọdé ò lè mọ ẹ̀kọ́ jẹ, kó má ra lọ́wọ́. I am incredibly sorry for how I hurt you and how the email that was sent hurt you.

Please forgive me for my childish mistakes of the past. I am deeply sorry for everything. 
I love you eternally, Aunty Funke.

NB: I just feel the burden to make this official. It’s not an attempt for people to help me beg her. I have met Aunty Funke; she has forgiven me. She hugged me, prayed for me, cooked for me like she used to in those good old days. Jollof rice elemi meji, fried rice, and sweet chicken. (lol)
I am her baby forever. She is such a sweet soul. The good days are back, and you should probably anticipate.  I love you all. Thank you. ”, she wrote.

Reacting, Funke Akindele, via the comment section of Juliana’s post, expressed her love for her and noted that she missed her.

“My Juliana.  I miss you. I will bite you.  omo mi. I love you. See you soon.” Funke wrote.

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