According to Punch Newspaper, Adedoyin Kukoyi, veteran Nollywood actor Adewale Adeoye, popularly known as Elesho, shared insights into his early life and rise to fame. Adeoye, renowned for his comedic roles in Yoruba movies, attributed his initial popularity to his unique appearance as an albino. Born to parents with different complexions, his birth sparked significant attention and curiosity within his community from the outset.
Adeoye described his birth as particularly challenging for his family. His late mother, a dark-complexioned woman who worked as a trainer and sold delicate plates supplied by Lebanese merchants, faced considerable societal pressure and suspicion. The stark contrast between her complexion and her son's led to unfounded rumors and assumptions regarding her fidelity. This suspicion added an emotional burden to what should have been a joyous occasion, casting a shadow over the early days of his life.
Despite the difficulties surrounding his birth, Adeoye's distinct appearance gradually became a defining aspect of his identity and career. In an era when albinism was less understood and often stigmatized, his visibility in the community set him apart from his peers. This uniqueness later translated into a successful acting career, where his roles in Yoruba cinema leveraged his ability to bring humor and distinctiveness to his performances.
The societal challenges faced by Adeoye's family highlight broader issues of acceptance and understanding of albinism during that time. His mother's initial reaction and the community's suspicion underscore the cultural hurdles that individuals with albinism and their families often navigated. These experiences shaped Adeoye's perspective and fueled his resolve to carve out a space for himself in the entertainment industry.
He said: “My birth, too, was a little difficult. My late mother said the day I was born was a day of sorrow for her because she was a dark-complexioned trainer who sold breakable plates that were being supplied to her 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.