Bolanle Ninalowo, popular Nigerian actor and entrepreneur, has urged fans to respect his privacy and avoid over-glorifying the image or success story of celebrities like himself.
The 38-year-old Nollywood hunk said this while speaking with Nollywood fans during ‘ROK ME’ tour in Lagos.
The event, which took place on April 11, at Sheraton hotel in Ikeja, welcomed celebrities while lovers of Nigerian movies had the opportunity to mingle with their favorite stars.
During the meet and greet, which was monitored by TheCable Lifestyle, a fan sought to know how the actor combines fame with family.
“Now let me tell you something, the reason you are asking me that question is because am a celebrity,” said Ninalowo.
He further expressed concerns about the manner in which fans portray stars like himself even to the extent of attempting to invade their personal lives.
“I live my life by the day the same way everyone does theirs. I respect all my fans but they need to respect me. The most I can do when I see a fan is what I do. But when you take things to the next level, whatever you get is what happens,” the actor added.
“I’m not allowed to be disrespected because I’m a star. I accept and embrace my fans but nobody is going to disrespect me, my wife or my family. The fame thing is not it, this is who I am.”
He also said that celebrities and regular citizens all experience tough times alike.
“Halle Berry once said that her boyfriend used to slap the sh*t out of her. But when fans see her, they only look at how beautiful she is,” Ninalowo said.
“You find that the same thing happens to one of your friends. When she gets heartbroken, it’s the same like one of your friends. This image thing, leave it alone. It doesn’t exist.”
Mary Njoku, CEO of ROK Studios, brought a squad of ‘ROK ME’ Nollywood royalty including Desmond Elliot, Chinedu Ikedieze, Efe Irele and Annie Idibia among others to the exclusive event.
Following a successful tour of the UK, South Africa and Zambia, the prominent movie stars are expected to take the tour to Accra, Ghana.
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