The only thing that kept me going was that we both knew God wanted us to be married,” Jessica said. 2018 Copyright Hope Dealer. Meet actor Remi Adeleke. In 2008, after traveling to Alaska for cold weather survival training, Remi, then a U.S. Navy SEAL, encountered God in a way that brought him to his knees. BIO: Remi Adeleke was born in western Africa, but following his father's death, he and his mother and brother relocated permanently to the Bronx in New York City. When I was in the Navy, I was on the USS Peleliu and I was walking down the hallway. Recently I went to an art gallery in Nigeria. My dad was an avid collector of Yoruba art. After serving his country for 10 ½ years, God’s call on Remi’s life led him out of active duty and into the Navy Reserves for three years. *Remi Adeleke is a Navy SEAL, author of Transformed: A Navy Seal’s Unlikely Journey From the Throne of Africa, to the Streets of the Bronx, and actor (with credits in Transformers: The Last Night). He was married to Pauline Adeleke and had two sons. These guys look at my name tag and they say “Ada Leke” and they start speaking to me in Yoruba, my tongue. The recruiter saw that Remi wanted to turn his life around. Mr. Adeleke Resides in Southern California with his Wife of 5 years Jessica Adeleke, and their two sons his son Cayden and Caleb. But shortly after taking his last breath, the Nigerian government stripped the family of their wealth, leaving the Adeleke’s desperate and without anything. Remi Adeleke is a Navy SEAL, author of Transformed: A Navy Seal’s Unlikely Journey From the Throne of Africa, to the Streets of the Bronx, and actor (with credits in Transformers: The Last Night). “Just like I felt God telling me it was time to join the military, I felt God say, it’s time for you to move on.”. I didn’t want to be married at all. He’s still with me and appears in unexpected ways. ↓ Remi was accepted into the prestigious Lee Strasberg Institute where some of Hollywood’s elite actors have trained. “I was laying in bed and I heard this voice guide me into joining the military,” he said. After years of making regrettable decisions, Remi joined the Navy in 2002 and later became a Navy SEAL. But he hasn’t always had it easy. My mom would always tell my dad, “Put money back in the United States so we have something just in case everything collapses.” But he didn’t listen. He is a writer, actor, mentor, former Navy SEAL, and father of three. After years of making regrettable decisions, Remi joined the Navy in 2002 and later became a Navy SEAL. After years of making regrettable decisions, Remi joined the Navy in 2002 and later became a Navy SEAL. He is the father of three young boys who all bear the royal Nigerian middle name that they, male descendants of a chieftain, are entitled to. With his … When dad was 8, he migrated down to the south of Nigeria to attend school. However, after his father died, he moved with his mother and brother to the Bronx where he grew up. Oops! Eventually, He was going to bring our entire marriage to completion.”. Remi’s father, an affluent and well-known engineer, provided a life of leisure for his family. With Remi’s newfound career on the rise, his family is and always will be his number one fans. He had great successes and became one of the first black men to serve on the board of the World Trade Center. His dad was the firstborn son of a Yoruba chief who had nine wives. She kept holding onto hope that something would change. He would play with us as kids and would create these worlds that didn’t exist. But even becoming a … In May 2017, he graduated with his master’s degree from the University of Charleston. Because my dad died when I was 5, after being bit by a rabid dog in Lagos, my memories of him have grown hazy. You’re nothing to people here, but it means a lot to people in Nigeria. When I was in the Navy, I was on the, It’s been more than 25 years since my father died. Related News 19 August 2020 | Deadline ‘Slave Stealers’: Harriet Jacobs TV Series In The Works From ‘6 Underground’s Remi Adeleke & Emmy-Winning Nick Nanton Remi joined the Navy in 2002 and later became a Navy SEAL. “I realized the more I put my faith in God, the less stress and worry came on me.”. His father went on to study in London and became a well-known engineer and entrepreneur in Nigeria. His story caught the attention of Jockey, and he’s now featured in their “Show ‘Em What’s Underneath Campaign.” Soon, major media outlets like NBC’s TODAY Show, Fox News and Men’s Health featured Remi and his remarkable story. I asked the gallerist where the sculpture came from. Recently I went to an art gallery in Nigeria. My dad was an avid collector of Yoruba art. You’re a prince. 17 Motivational Quotes for Kids to Help Them Push Through Challenges, How to Check on an Aging Parent's Mental Health From Afar, 18 Positive Quotes for Kids (And Parents) Who Are Having a Bad Day, How Schools Can Support Families of Children With Disabilities During the Pandemic, 16 Inspirational Quotes for Kids Every Parent Should Know, Survey Shows Parents Are Feeling the Pressure of Remote Work — and Could Use More Support. He was born in Western Africa, but following the death of his father, he, his mother, and brother relocated permanently to the Bronx in New York City. You’re royalty like them.” That stuck with me, gave me a sense of pride. His father, a real life Nigerian prince, died when he was just five years old. I thought I recognized one of the Ibeji sculptures, imposing wooden sculptures depicting twin, Transformed: A Navy Seal’s Unlikely Journey From the Throne of Africa, to the Streets of the Bronx. He was fighting to get his island back, but he, In America, the name doesn’t mean much. There were times when he was upset because he worked so hard for it, but he was such a positive force in life, and he stayed that way until the end. Remi Adeleke was born in western Africa, but following his father's death, he and his mother and brother relocated permanently to the Bronx in New York City. (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.12'; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); Actor Remi Adeleke’s remarkable faith journey that led him to …, WATCH: Remi Adeleke, former Navy SEAL turned actor is now the face of Jockey, a fitness model and recently had a role in Transformers. To me, my royal name means that I have a responsibility. My mom would say to me, “You’re like them. But he always wanted to return. But shortly after taking his last breath, the Nigerian government stripped the family of their wealth, leaving the Adeleke’s desperate and without anything. He had deals with McDonalds, Disney, and others, and sunk all his money into the project. Remi Adeleke. Remi Adeleke grew up as a troubled teen, but turned his life around by joining the Navy SEALs and becoming a Hollywood actor. A part of the Yoruba tribe. His biggest project was one of the first manmade islands in the world, now known as Banana Island. Remi’s life spiraled downward after his father died in 1987. When people hear his story, their eyes widen in awe and exclamations soon follow. What do you want the president to prioritize in the next four years? But he always wanted to return to Nigeria to create a city that would be a beacon for all the world. This is not you. The chief title is only given to the sons of the tribe of Adelekes, so because my grandfather was a chief in the Yoruba tribe and dad was a first-born son, a chief, the royal blood runs down to me, my brothers and sisters, and my boys. A Hollywood opportunity led him into the TV and film industry. Leaving a stable job and walking into the unknown greatly tested his faith. Remi Adeleke was born in Western Africa and moved to New York City with his mother and brother following the death of his father. I wouldn’t want to come home. African culture is different. Any man can father a child, but it takes a lot more to be a daddy.. And To all the baby mamas, despite how the relationship may have ended, I want to challenge you to do everything in your power to LET your ex(s) be daddys ... Instagram Post by Remi Adeleke • May 30, 2020 at 10:14AM PDT. Raising two sons in the inner city proved challenging for Remi’s mother, but her love of movies offered the trio a healthy escape from reality. Shor… Dad died an optimistic man. African culture is different. After years of making regrettable decisions, Remi joined the Navy in 2002 and later became a Navy SEAL. His most ambitious project was developing one of the first man-made islands in the world — Banana Island in Lagos, Nigeria, starting in the late ’70s. All Rights Reserved. He was a visionary with a wide imagination. Matt Brown talks with Actor, Producer and Author Remi Adeleke. He had great successes and became one of the first black men to serve on the board of the World Trade Center. Soon after, he enlisted in the military. Now, with overwhelming joy she looks back on those days only to realize how far they’ve come. Get the best of Fatherly in your inbox, In English and American culture, we refer to royalty as king and queen or duke and duchess, and so on and so forth. His priority was his country and building his country to be a beacon of light to all of Africa. My grandfather was a chief in the Yoruba tribe, and started the Adeleke name (“Ade” means “crown”; “leke” means “above”). So he, in return, was a chief as well. Then when his father died, the government stripped his family of everything they had. African culture is different. This is a man who exudes charisma and excellence. And before he was a Navy SEAL, he was a drug dealer in the Bronx. Before Remi Adeleke was a famous actor, he was a Navy SEAL. Raised in the Bronx, this former U.S. Navy SEAL was launched into a Hollywood career with a role in “Transformers: The Last Knight” and commercials for AT&T, the Army (believe it or not), and Jockey. Remi added, “I knew God was working something in us and working things out of us. The chief title is only given to the sons of the tribe of Adelekes, so because my grandfather was a chief in the Yoruba tribe and dad was a first-born son, a chief, the royal blood runs down to me, my brothers and sisters, and my boys. In 2002 he joined the U.S. Navy, ultimately completing the grueling training to become a member of the select U.S. Navy SEALs. Remi Adeleke is a former military man and successful actor. After years of making regrettable decisions, Remi joined the Navy in 2002 and later became a Navy SEAL. Please contact. Remi Adeleke was born in Western Africa and moved to New York City with his mother and brother following the death of his father. One day in early 2016, while raising kids with Jessica and attending grad school, Remi’s life took a dramatic turn. After his service as a Navy SEAL, Remi Adeleke had a role in Transformers: The Last Knight By Caitlin Keating May 17, 2019 04:13 PM In America, the name doesn’t mean much. About the Author | Remi Adeleke was born in Western Africa, but following the death of his father, he, his mother, and brother relocated permanently to the Bronx in New York City. He is the father of three young boys who all bear the royal Nigerian middle name that they, male descendants of a chieftain, are entitled to. . I haven’t spoken since I was, like, 5 and I’m looking at them with a blank stare. Royalty is referred to as “chief” or designated by the last name. “I truly believe it was the voice of God.”. Out of options and living in a country that provided little opportunity for work, the family permanently relocated to the Bronx in New York City. As a part of America’s most elite fighting unit, Remi Adeleke has had the opportunity to see and do things men and women have only dreamt about. Remi Adeleke was born in Western Africa, but following the death of his father, he, his mother, and brother relocated permanently to the Bronx in New York City. After years of making regrettable decisions, Remi joined the Navy in 2002 and later became a Navy SEAL. In the months that followed, Remi’s faith ignited as he surrounded himself with Christians who maintained a genuine relationship with Christ. His life changed dramatically a year and 1/2 ago when an unexpected break led him into Hollywood. Lacking a positive male role model in his life, the young Remi tried to fill the void of his father’s absence by running the streets and making unlawful choices. He knew that if he could keep fighting he could get it back. But after his father passed away, Remi, his mom, and his brother moved to the Bronx. You’re nothing to people here, but it means a lot to people in Nigeria. He was the firstborn son to a tribal chief. Remi: Yes I was born in western Africa, West Africa. When I would hustle, steal, sell drugs, dumb stuff, my mom would say, “You need to remember who you are. Eventually, he ended up attending school in London, where he got his master’s in engineering and architecture. My dad was so upset — the most upset I ever saw him. He had deals with McDonalds, Disney, and others, and sunk all his money into the project. I never saw him argue with my mom, or yelling. Something went wrong please contact us at support@fatherly.com. Remi Adeleke From US Navy SEAL to Hollywood: remembers his dad, Adebayo Adeleke, the original owner of Banana Island In English and American culture, we refer to royalty as king and queen or duke and duchess, and so on and so forth. Remi Adeleke is gifted. In 2002 he joined the U.S. Navy, ultimately completing the grueling training to become a member of the select U.S. Navy SEALs. Remi’s daily goal is to live this scripture out in everything that he does. Dad died an optimistic man. Remi’s father, an affluent and well-known engineer, provided a life of leisure for his family. At just 36 years old, Adeleke has lived quite a life. He was fighting to get his island back, but he knew the relationships he had and the knowledge he had would one day win him back his investment. Through this gallery, often filled with celebrities and the wealthy people who live on my father’s island, I walked closer. Once the land was developed and became valuable — it is today one of the most expensive places in all of Africa — the Nigerian government stripped us of everything. Royalty is referred to as “chief” or designated by the last name. For more than a century Gillette has believed in the best in men, and made products that help them look and feel their best, too. Remi Adeleke was born in western Africa, but following his father’s death, he and his mother and brother relocated permanently to the Bronx in New York City. He tried it all, then found his way out by joining the military. Remi Adeleke Advisory Board Member. My father, he was a well-known Nigerian engineer, businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist. Remi Adeleke, his youngest, talks about what it was like being raised by Nigerian royalty. Remi as a young boy with his brother, mom and father. Newly married to his beautiful wife Jessica and waiting for God to show him what was next, the couple endured financial struggles. Remi said, “We went from having it all to not having much of anything.” Young and adrift, Remi turned to scamming, stealing, and selling drugs. I had last seen this piece as a 4-year-old, when my father was alive. Back then it terrified me. Remi Adeleke has an amazing story to share, ... but it barely scratches the service. “But it was that hope that carried me through to where I am today.”. In Transformed, Remi Adeleke takes you back to stories from his childhood, from living as Nigerian royalty to losing his father early in life and being stripped financially of everything by the Nigerian government. Remi Adeleke. Remi was born into riches and wealth. God brought about an incredible transformation in the life of the “Transformers” star. Remi was born into riches and wealth. ... His father was a … Remi Adeleke is an actor, retired Navy SEAL and author. Remi's mother was American, and his father was a tribal leader in his native Nigeria. I mean, he did it all. Chief Adebayo Adeleke was a Nigerian architect and engineer who died in 1987. Sign up for the Fatherly newsletter to get original articles and expert advice about parenting, fitness, gear, and more in your inbox every day. Adeleke primarily grew up in the Bronx. I thought I recognized one of the Ibeji sculptures, imposing wooden sculptures depicting twin orishas, or minor gods. “Everything that we lost when your father died has been restored 10 times over,” she told Remi. In 1987, the corrupt Nigerian government stripped his father of the island, robbing him of his largest investment. But in July of 2002, his life took an unexpected turn. You’re not a thief. When dad was 8, he migrated down to the south of Nigeria to attend school. “I would cry every single day. You need to live up to your name and your tribe.” That stuck with me. My grandfather was a chief in the Yoruba tribe, and started the Adeleke name (“Ade” means “crown”; “leke” means “above”). We went from rich to poor, eventually forcing my mom my brother and me to move from Nigeria to the Bronx. Like many of us who experience the ominous valley’s of life, this West African native resided in the heart of Nigeria and, sadly, lost his father at the early age of 5. He’s still with me and appears in unexpected ways. In English and American culture, we refer to royalty as king and queen or duke and duchess, and so on and so forth. He has been through very dark times in his life and career, and only when he met Jesus did things start to turn around, as he reveals in his I AM SECOND testimony. It’s been more than 25 years since my father died. After years of making regrettable decisions, Remi joined the Navy in 2002 and later became a Navy SEAL. 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