Being an albino earned me popularity from birth – Adewale Elesho

Veteran Nollywood actor Elesho, also known as Adewale Adeoye, has claimed that because he was born an albino, giving birth to a child helped him become famous.

Known for his comedic parts in Yoruba films, Adeoye made this statement on Sunday during an interview with media personality Adedoyin Kukoyi.

He claimed that because his parents were not of the same skin tone as him, it was unpopular to give birth to an albino back then.

"I became popular since my birth," he declared. The birth of a white guy became widely known. Some people will chastise their wards for visiting our home since they gave birth to an albino. Some may even question my Chinese heritage. Numerous individuals come to observe me out of curiosity.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.
He emphasised, "But my mother said that when my dad arrived, he carried me and began celebrating because I look like his grandmother."

He told the story of how his older brother Yekinni Adebola would battle tooth and nail to avoid being dubbed an albino, and how his brother knew he didn't take it as a challenge when he came clean about being one.

Speaking about how he got into acting, Adeoye revealed that he took inspiration from his father, an Osun State chief from the Ikirun region.

"I can argue that my capacity to speak was inherited from my father's personality. My dad was the epitome of contentment. He was content no matter what. At that moment, when the leader is greeted: May May the chief live long, he would respond: May the natives not get sick too. He always has a reply to everything said to him.
“I am not the first entertainer from Ikirun. It was God that gave me wisdom to speak the way I do,” he added.

Adeoye is the father of popular skit maker, Yemi Elesho, who is known for his roles in comedy skits.

Elesho began his journey to stardom and popularity as an Instagram skit maker in 2016 when his fellow comedian, Arole, introduced him to it.