Award-winning Nollywood actor Lateef Adedimeji has opened up about the origin of one of his most recognisable acting traits, revealing that his emotional crying scenes were a deliberate strategy to build a unique identity in the movie industry.

Speaking during an interview with media personality Morayo Afolabi Brown, the actor explained that when he first joined Nollywood, many people identified him as "the actor who looks like **Odunlade Adekola>."

Determined to stand out on his own, Lateef said he intentionally embraced emotionally demanding roles that showcased his ability to cry convincingly on screen.

"At some point, people started calling me the crying machine. They didn't know my name, but they described me as that guy who cries a lot in movies," he said.

According to the actor, becoming known for his emotional performances helped him establish a distinct identity rather than being compared with another established star.

Lateef also spoke about his popular comic character, Iya Peju, revealing that it was born during the COVID-19 lockdown.

He admitted that the character initially began as a casual creative experiment, but audience demand encouraged him to continue developing it.

"The Iya Peju character started during lockdown, and it wasn't something I took seriously until people started asking for more," he explained.

The actor's latest reflections come during one of the most successful periods of his career. Earlier this year, he received an Icon Award at the Africa Illustration Awards, describing the recognition as a dream fulfilled after years of perseverance.

His film Lisabi also emerged as one of the standout productions at the 12th Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards, winning Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa) and Best Makeup.

Lateef dedicated the AMVCA recognition to his wife after the couple welcomed triplet sons earlier this year, describing the honour as another memorable milestone in his personal and professional journey.

Opinion: Success Often Begins with Finding What Makes You Different

Lateef Adedimeji's story highlights an important lesson for anyone pursuing a competitive career: standing out often requires embracing what makes you unique.

Rather than being discouraged by comparisons to Odunlade Adekola, Lateef identified a strength that audiences remembered—his emotional performances. What some might have dismissed as a stereotype eventually became a defining feature of his career and helped establish his own brand.

His experience also demonstrates that reinvention is possible. Beyond his dramatic roles, he successfully introduced the humorous Iya Peju character, proving that versatility can strengthen rather than limit an actor's appeal.

Today, Lateef is recognised not as "the actor who looks like someone else," but as one of Nollywood's leading performers. His journey is a reminder that originality, persistence and the courage to carve out a personal identity can turn an unconventional choice into lasting success.