Prominent Yoruba actor Adewale Adeoye, better known by his stage name Adewale Elesho, credits his unusual birth circumstances for his broad fame.
The veteran actor disclosed in a recent interview that his albinism attracted a great deal of interest and attention even at a young age, thanks to media personality Adedoyin Kukoyi.
He explained how his parents’ darker complexion contrasted with his own, prompting inquiry and attention from others.
Elesho’s late mother, a trader, was first saddened by his birth, fearing rumors of an adulterous affair with her Lebanese supplier based on his odd features.
However, his father’s excitement and satisfaction in their shared familial likeness rapidly allayed her fears.
“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.
“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. But when my dad came, my mother said he carried me and started jubilating because I look like his grandmother”.
Yekinni Adebola, Adewale’s older brother, passionately protected him against taunting and scorn until accepting and appreciating his albinism.
Adewale’s rise to fame started in 2016 when he was exposed to the art of creating Instagram skits by fellow comedian Arole. This helped pave the way for both his son Yemi Elesho’s popular comedy skits and Adewale’s own famous Nollywood career.
