Veteran Nollywood actress Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde has finally addressed the long-standing rumours of a feud between her and fellow screen icon, Genevieve Nnaji, dismissing the claims as a fan-created narrative with no basis in reality.
Speaking during an interview on Yanga FM, Omotola described the alleged rivalry as a myth that took on a life of its own over the years. She explained that there was never any bad blood between the two actresses, noting that professional respect does not require personal closeness.
“People don’t need to be best friends,” Omotola said, stressing that the absence of constant public interaction should not be mistaken for hostility.
She traced the origin of the rumours to fan speculation and industry comparisons, saying the supposed conflict was invented long before either of them became aware of it. According to her, the idea of a quarrel was so widely circulated that they were almost expected to live up to it, despite nothing of the sort ever happening.
“They started the quarrel before we even realised we were supposed to be quarreling. So, we had to catch up with the supposed quarrel. There was no quarrel,” she said.
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Reacting to suggestions that tension existed before the release of the movie *EJ*, Omotola reiterated that she and Genevieve communicated normally behind the scenes. She likened the situation to the way fans frame perceived rivalries among music stars, pointing out that such narratives often ignore reality.
She recalled that during the peak of their careers, the industry routinely pitched actresses against one another, branding one as the hottest while downplaying the other. Omotola said this environment naturally created competition, but competition should not be confused with conflict.
“We were young, and everyone was focused on their own careers. That kind of tension is normal in the industry, but people interpret it in different ways,” she explained.
Her comments have reignited conversations about celebrity rivalry myths in Nollywood, with many fans welcoming the clarification as a reminder of the pressure public figures face from exaggerated narratives and fan-driven speculation.
