Veteran Nollywood actor Adewale Adeoye, popularly known as Elesho, has revealed that his popularity began at birth due to his albinism. In an interview with media personality Adedoyin Kukoyi, Adeoye shared how being born an albino made him a subject of curiosity and attention.
Adeoye, known for his humorous roles in Yoruba movies, explained that it was unusual at the time for parents of different complexions to have an albino child. He said, “I became popular since my birth. The news got everywhere that a white man was born. Some would scold their wards for coming to our house because they had given birth to an albino. Some would even wonder if I’m Chinese. Many people came to look at me out of curiosity.”
He recounted the difficulties his mother faced when he was born. “My late mother said the day I was born was a day of sorrow for her because she was a dark-complexioned trader who sold breakable plates supplied by the Lebanese. So when I was born in a hospital in Ibadan, my mother wept for the suspicion that might arise that she had had something with one of the Lebanese. But when my dad came, my mother said he carried me and started jubilating because I look like his grandmother,” he emphasized.
Adeoye also shared how his elder brother, Yekinni Adebola, would defend him fiercely when he was called an albino. It was only when Adeoye himself accepted his condition that his brother realized it wasn’t a challenge for him.
Discussing his acting career, Adeoye attributed his talent to his father, a chief in the Ikirun area of Osun State. “I can say it was from my father’s character that I inherited the ability to talk. My father was an embodiment of happiness. He was always happy. When the chief is greeted at that time: May the chief live long, he would respond: May the natives not get sick too. He always had a reply to everything said to him.”
Adeoye is also the father of popular skit maker Yemi Elesho, who started his journey to stardom and popularity as an Instagram skit maker in 2016, with the help of fellow comedian Arole.
Discussion about this post