Nollywood actor Ebisan Arayi has opened up about the complicated side of fame, sharing a bizarre fan encounter and how his easy bond with female supporters often sparks jealousy in his personal relationships.
Speaking on the Conversations With Kenni podcast hosted by Kehinde Ajose, the actor was asked about his weirdest experience with a fan.
“I’ve had a fan text my ex, telling her, ‘he’s an actor, what the hell did you expect? Girls will be on him.’ That wasn’t what broke the relationship though,” Arayi revealed.
He explained that the relationship ended for other reasons, but the unsolicited message from a stranger still stood out as one of the strangest moments in his career.
When the conversation turned to how he interacts with his female fan base and whether he sets clear boundaries, Arayi traced his approach back to his upbringing.
“I grew up with a lot of women around me so I feel like I have a good relationship with women which sometimes gets me into trouble with my partner(s). They feel like I’m too free with the female fans, but it’s just who I am. As my partner, if they don’t see that that’s just who I am, then it means they really don’t know me enough to call me their partner,” he said.
Arayi insisted that building a cordial connection with fans should not threaten a relationship built on trust.
“I can build a relationship with my female fan base and it shouldn’t affect you as my partner if you trust me. Because I am for you as my woman, and I am for them as an actor, a celebrity, and someone they know on TV. So obviously, it’s two different stories. I can be mushy, cuddly, sweet, sexual, and all that with you, and be ‘hello,’ ‘hi,’ and cordial with them. It’s now left to my partner to see the difference.”
He admitted that even simple habits rooted in his family culture have created tension.
“If you’re so jealous that you take issue when I respond to greetings or use kind words, it’ll be a problem. I was brought up to use kind words. In fact, I had a conversation some nights ago about using kind words like, ‘hey baby,’ ‘hello darling.’ The girlfriends will say how can I be calling another woman, ‘baby.’ These are words that I’m used to because I call all my female cousins and family friends, ‘baby.’ It’s a part of my upbringing. It has put me in trouble quite a number of times.”
The candid discussion highlighted the fine line celebrities must walk between authentic connection with supporters and the expectations of their private lives. Arayi made it clear that while he remains open and friendly with fans, trust remains non-negotiable for any partner who claims to know him.