Nonso Diobi, a popular Nollywood actor, has spoken out in response to long-standing accusations of rivalry and comparisons with his colleague, Mike Ezuruonye. In a candid conversation with Labista, Nonso discussed their connected careers in the film industry, including fan-driven competition, mistaken identity, and their distinct on-screen chemistry.
Nonso mentioned that he joined Nollywood before Mike and recalled a memorable moment when they appeared together in Mike's debut film. He stated that their similar appearances caused frequent mix-ups among admirers, with many mistaking one for the other. "Photographically, we look a lot alike. If I don't look attentively, I might mistake a poster with Mike for one with me. It happened to me a lot, and it happened to him as well," Nonso revealed.
He went on to say that while the continuous misidentifications originally annoyed him, they eventually became a point of bonding for them. Rather of allowing these parallels to build hostility, Nonso demonstrated how they took advantage of the circumstance. They persuaded filmmakers to place them together, resulting in memorable on-screen combinations that highlighted their chemistry and similarity. Addressing fan expectations of competition, he stated, "Just as fans feel about us, we feel the same way. It was challenging at first, but we worked it out and formed a friendship. His statements have won over supporters, who commended his maturity and desire to congratulate a colleague rather than compete.
Watch the video below …
"The fans wanted a rivalry."
— @πΌπ»π²π·πΌπ―πΉπ²πππ―πΌπ (@OneJoblessBoy) December 4, 2024
Nonso Diobi speaks about comparisons with Mike Ezuruonye. pic.twitter.com/JYvX86n5ld