Nollywood star and filmmaker Funke Akindele has recently joined the viral social media wave surrounding the trending “Holy Spirit” challenge, much to the excitement of her fans online. The challenge, which has been making rounds on TikTok for days, involves users creatively engaging with a playful visual concept of the Holy Spirit appearing in bird form, symbolizing guidance and elevation.
Funke decided to jump on the trend by sharing a short video on her Instagram page. In the clip, she gave her own creative twist to the challenge, appearing to glide effortlessly with the symbolic bird, a move many fans felt she executed better than most. While sharing the video, she added a short prayer, wishing for divine elevation and success for herself and her followers, simply writing that she hoped the good Lord would lift everyone to greater heights.
The video quickly generated a wave of reactions from her colleagues and fans who flooded the comment section with playful and supportive messages. Many of them joked about how well she performed the trend, while others wished her continued success in her career and personal life. The playful reactions included compliments about her status as one of Africa’s most successful filmmakers, with some fans joking that the “Holy Spirit” should handle her with care as she continues to dominate the entertainment space.
Funke joins a growing list of public figures who have participated in viral online trends in recent times. Other celebrities such as Kiekie, Nkechi Blessing, Samuel Banks, and Mr Lively have also joined similar social media challenges, helping to drive engagement and entertainment across platforms.
Social media trends have continued to evolve over time, especially with nostalgic challenges also gaining popularity. Earlier, many celebrities participated in the “2016 nostalgia” wave, where users shared memories from a decade ago to reflect on personal growth and achievements. The 2026 nostalgia wave became particularly popular because it allowed public figures and everyday users to reflect on how far they have come in life.
Several celebrities shared personal stories alongside their throwback photos. One reality television personality spoke about her journey from beauty pageants to building fame and financial independence, explaining how hard work had helped her maintain relevance in the industry while planning for generational wealth. Others shared similar reflections about business growth, endorsement deals, career success, and personal transformation.
Actress and media personality Mercy Aigbe shared that 2016 was a defining year for her, describing it as a time when opportunities seemed to align perfectly with her goals. She reflected on how her career visibility increased during that period and how she continues to evolve professionally. Media personality Toke Makinwa also spoke about how she never imagined how successful her journey would become, while expressing gratitude for being able to inspire women to chase their dreams and build independent paths.
Actor Bolanle Ninalowo shared a more personal reflection, explaining that his focus has always been progress and improvement. He expressed gratitude for his journey so far and emphasized determination to keep pushing forward. Actress Stella Damasus also joined the reflective mood, sharing that personal growth may not always be easy, but patience and consistency eventually pay off in life and career achievements.
