‘Funke Akindele Is My Mentor’: BBNaija Season 10 Winner Imisi Reveals

The winner of the just-concluded Big Brother Naija Season 10, Imisioluwa Opeyemi Ayanwale, popularly known as Imisi, has expressed her deep admiration for award-winning actress and filmmaker, Funke Akindele, describing her as her mentor and source of inspiration in the Nigerian film industry.

Imisi made the revelation while speaking to journalists shortly after receiving her ₦150 million grand prize and a brand-new car during the official presentation ceremony in Lagos.

According to Vanguard news, Imisi revealed that her time in the BBNaija house helped her showcase her acting skills, a passion she plans to pursue even more seriously now that she’s out of the show.

“I think people saw a lot of my acting skills in the house. Even housemates said I’m a great actress. I’m ready for more,” Imisi said with a smile.

Speaking about her plans after the show, the BBNaija champion revealed that her biggest dream is to work with Funke Akindele, whom she regards as her number one mentor in Nollywood.

“Yes, Funke Akindele is my number one mentor. I hope to work with her someday. Also, Bimbo Ademoye and Bolaji Ogunmola inspire me a lot,” she continued.

Imisi added that watching Funke Akindele’s work, especially her movies and TV productions, has helped her believe that hard work, consistency, and creativity can open doors in the entertainment world.

Describing her victory as “overwhelming,” Imisi admitted that she’s still trying to process her win and is immensely grateful for the outpouring of love and support from fans across Nigeria and beyond.

In her words, “I’m still in shock. The love has been massive. I didn’t expect it to be this huge. I’m grateful for every single person who supported me.”

When asked about social media claims suggesting that her Yoruba background played a role in her victory, Imisi gave an honest response.

“Maybe. I think Yoruba people are very supportive of their own, so yes, that might’ve helped,” she admitted.

However, she quickly added that her authenticity and vulnerability were the real reasons Nigerians connected with her.

“I was just being myself. I don’t think it was a strategy. I was only living my truth,” she noted.

Reflecting on her journey, Imisi also expressed gratitude to her Celestial Church community, appreciating them for their prayers and continuous support throughout her stay in the Big Brother house.

She revealed that her faith played a major role in keeping her grounded and focused during the intense moments of the competition.

She said, “Fame is new to me. I’ll seek mentorship, learn, and be intentional. I want to keep evolving.”

Source: Intel Region

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