Actress Juliana Olayode, popularly known as Toyo Baby, has showered praise on her former mentor, Funke Akindele, years after their widely publicized fallout.
During an appearance on the Oyinmomo Podcast, Juliana described Funke as not only a talented actress but also a mother figure who commands immense respect in the industry.
“What covers everything is to call her (Funke) a mother. There are various types of women, but not everybody qualifies to be called a mother,” she said.
The actress also highlighted Funke’s dedication to her craft, describing her as a “workaholic” who ensures excellence in every project she undertakes.
“Aunty Funke is also a workaholic. She doesn’t joke with her work. She’s also a goal-getter. She makes sure she gets the best out of every project,” Juliana added.
In 2017, their professional relationship faced challenges when Juliana departed from Jenifa’s Diary, reportedly due to a misunderstanding involving her manager.
In May 2023, Juliana publicly apologized to Funke, acknowledging her past mistakes and expressing deep remorse. Funke accepted the apology, indicating a reconciliation between the two.
Following their reconciliation, they reunited in Everybody Loves Jenifa, a 2024 comedy-drama film directed by Funke Akindele and Tunde Olaoye.
The film, which premiered in Lagos on December 8, 2024 and hit cinemas on December 13, 2024, saw Juliana reprise her role as Toyo Baby alongside Funke’s iconic Jenifa character.