Award-winning Nollywood actor Lateef Adedimeji has revealed how he deliberately carved out his own identity in the movie industry after being constantly compared to veteran actor Odunlade Adekola.
Speaking during an interview on The Morayo Show, Lateef said he wanted audiences to recognise him for something unique, which led him to become known for his emotional crying scenes.
According to the actor, many movie lovers initially identified him as the actor who resembled Odunlade, but he was determined to create his own path.
“When I came into the entertainment industry, people used to call me that guy who looks like Odunlade, but I wanted people to know me for a particular thing, hence my crying talent,” he said.
Lateef disclosed that his emotional performances eventually earned him the nickname “the crying machine,” with many fans recognising him by his acting style even before knowing his real name.
“At some point, people started calling me the crying machine. They didn’t know my name, but they described me as the guy that cries a lot in movies,” he added.
The actor also spoke about his popular Iya Peju character, revealing that it began during the COVID-19 lockdown as a fun idea that later became a fan favourite after viewers kept asking for more.
Reflecting on his career, Lateef said his dream had always been to stand out creatively and build a lasting legacy in Nollywood.
The actor recently celebrated another milestone after receiving an Icon Award at the Africa Illustration Awards, saying he had gone from admiring industry icons to becoming one himself.
At the 12th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), his movie Lisabi won Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa) and Best Makeup. While accepting one of the awards, Lateef dedicated the achievement to his wife, thanking her for her love and support.
The actor has previously shared stories about his early struggles in Nollywood, revealing that he once worked on several projects for free and almost gave up after one of his personal productions failed before his breakthrough eventually came.
Source: The Morayo Show.
