Nollywood actor Ebisan Arayi has pushed back against the idea that some Nigerian performers are more famous than they are talented, insisting that true fame is almost always rooted in genuine ability.
On the Conversations With Kenni podcast hosted by Kehinde Ajose, the actor was asked if he believes Nigerian actors are becoming more famous than they are talented.
“That’s an interesting question. So, I’m an actor, would I call myself ‘more famous than talented’? I know that I am talented. People tell me that I’m talented. God has blessed me with this gift. I look at myself in the mirror and asked certain things and laugh at myself because they’re just crazy. Like how the hell did I think about that? But it’s a gift,” Arayi said.
He explained that the people he surrounds himself with have earned their recognition through skill.
“I have been blessed to have talented actors around me, so I wouldn’t say there are actors that are famous than they’re talented. The people I’ve surrounded myself with are talented actors and they’re famous. And they’re famous because they’re talented. But then, you can say there’re some actors that are famous than they’re talented.”
When pressed further on whether any actors fall into the “more famous than talented” category, Arayi stood firm.
“As I’m an actor, I don’t see any actors that are famous than talented. For you to have become famous, it means you’re talented. Something somehow has pushed you into fame.”
The conversation highlighted Arayi’s strong belief that acting is a divine gift rather than something purely learned, and that lasting public recognition in Nollywood usually follows real ability. His measured response avoided naming names while still acknowledging that perceptions of uneven talent versus popularity exist in the industry.