By Rita Okoye
Actor, model, screenwriter, and entrepreneur, Abayomi Alvin, who rose to fame after starring in Jenifa’s Diary and Isoken, has carved a niche for himself in the Nigerian entertainment industry.
In a recent interview with Nollywood Radio, the Obafemi Awolowo University graduate shared his experiences with homosexuality in Nollywood.
“Yes, I have had such an encounter,” he revealed when asked if he had ever been propositioned.
He added: “The first time, I was shocked. I was like, ‘Oh, wow, people do this?’ But as I grew up in the industry and became more mature, I learned how to handle things better. Some of these people are the ones that will hire you for a gig—acting, modeling. You need to know how to handle these things diplomatically. You also don’t want to be in people’s bad books. I just make my point clear: I am straight. My ways are not curved.”
Alvin is no stranger to admiration from fans, especially women. However, he has a grounded perspective on how to deal with it. “There comes a time in a man’s life as an entertainer when he would come to terms with the fact that he can’t sleep with everyone. It doesn’t make sense. These things have spiritual effects. Besides, how many people do you want to sleep with? No matter how much they tell you they like you, just take them as fans and don’t take advantage of them. This life is just more than sleeping around,” he noted.
Looking ahead, Alvin believes Nollywood is on the right track at the local level but needs to focus on international recognition. “We need more investors. There’s money in Nollywood. Let people come and invest,” he said.