She’s My Benefactor – Actor, Tope Adebayo Explains Close Bond With Actress, Faithia Balogun
Popular Nollywood actor and director Tope Adebayo, widely recognized for his role as Waheed in the hit TV series Jenifa’s Diary, has dismissed longstanding rumours suggesting he was romantically involved with veteran actress Faithia Balogun.
In a recent solo interview on Baba Ibe TV’s YouTube channel, Adebayo admitted he shares a close bond with Balogun, who is older than him, but firmly stated that there was never any romantic involvement between them.
He expressed sadness over the rumour, describing it as false and likely fueled by their visible closeness.
Adebayo, while recounting the news that made him sad in the industry, he said, “A rumour that broke my heart was when people accused someone like me of having an affair with Aunty Faithia. Does it make any sense?
“The fact remains that, you that accused me of this and it is your mouth. The intimacy between Aunty Fathia and I, there is no one that can know how strong our bond is.
“But, I will leave you with one secret today, Fathia and I will continue to be close because she is my benefactor. “
He further explained that Balogun had always been in his corner, and supported his dream of becoming a director, especially at a time when his father, Salami Adebayo, known as Oga Bello doubted his ability to make that transition.
“I told my father, I wanted to become a director, but he busted into laughter. He told me it was not an easy task, and that almost got me discouraged.
“Aunty Faithia was there, so she countered my dad, and said I will be the one to direct her five upcoming movie projects.
“I am telling you loud and clear that it was from this directorial debut with her projects that the world believed in my prowess, and it launched me as a director,” he said.
Adebayo stated that anyone who stands by you during moments of difficulty and uncertainty should never be forgotten. He revealed that some of the projects Faithia Balogun involved him in turned out to be major successes.
“It just saddens my heart that people believe because we are close that definitely we must be dating.
“Please I want to appeal with our audience to eliminate the thought that if opposite genders are close, that they are dating,” Adebayo concluded.
