According to Punch Newspaper, Veteran Nollywood actor Adewale Adeoye, widely recognized by his stage name Elesho, shared insights into his early life and rise to fame during an interview with media personality Adedoyin Kukoyi on Sunday. Adeoye, who has become a beloved figure in the Yoruba film industry for his comedic roles, attributed his early popularity to being born an albino.
Adeoye revealed that his birth was a notable event in his community due to his albinism. During the interview, he recounted how the arrival of an albino child was unusual at the time, especially given that his parents had different complexions. This unique circumstance garnered significant attention and curiosity from those around him.
The actor recounted that news of his birth spread rapidly. People were intrigued by his appearance, leading to widespread discussions and visits from community members. Some individuals even expressed their surprise by comparing his looks to that of a foreigner, often wondering if he had Asian heritage due to his fair complexion.
Growing up, Adeoye's distinct appearance continued to draw attention. He described how some people in the neighborhood would discourage their children from visiting his house, while others came specifically to see him out of sheer curiosity. Despite these varied reactions, the consistent interest in his uniqueness played a role in establishing his early prominence.
He said, “I became popular since my birth. The news got everywhere that a white man was born. Some will scold their wards for coming to our house because they had given birth to an albino. Some will even wonder if I’m Chinese. Many people come to look at me out of curiosity.