Comedian and actress Anita Alaire Afoke Asuoha, popularly known as Real Warri Pikin, has apologised to her husband following the backlash over a viral video showing singer Timaya lifting her during a performance in the United States.
The incident occurred on Saturday at the African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA) festival in Dallas, Texas, where Real Warri Pikin won the Best Stand-Up Comedian award and Timaya performed among the Nigerian artistes.
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A video from the event showed the comedian joining Timaya on stage during his performance of his hit song, Ukwu, before the singer lifted her as part of his performance.
The footage subsequently circulated on social media, drawing mixed reactions, particularly from some Nigerians who considered the interaction inappropriate because the comedian is married.
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On Sunday, Real Warri Pikin addressed the controversy in a selfie-style Instagram video captioned, “Abeg make Una nor Vex.”
What happened
Explaining how she ended up on stage, the comedian said she had been backstage enjoying Timaya’s performance when the singer asked for a woman to join him during Ukwu.
She said she responded instinctively to the call, caught up in the excitement of the performance, without fully considering what would happen on stage.
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According to her, she became reluctant when she realised Timaya intended to lift her and could be seen in the viral footage pleading with him not to do so.
She said she eventually went along with the stunt after the singer urged her not to disrupt his performance.
Pulling a woman from the audience or stage and lifting her during Ukwu has become a recurring feature of some of Timaya’s live performances.
The routine has previously produced viral moments. At the Gbaramatu Christmas Carnival in Delta State last December, the singer lost his balance and fell while attempting a similar stunt with a woman during a performance.
‘Online in-laws’
Real Warri Pikin said the backlash following the AFRIMMA video went beyond criticism of the performance, with some social media users questioning her conduct as a married woman.
She referred to some of those commenting on the controversy as her “online in-laws”, saying some had even suggested that she should leave her marriage over the incident.
The comedian rejected the suggestion and distinguished between followers who expressed what she considered genuine concern and those whose reactions she felt had gone too far.
She acknowledged that the behaviour was out of character for her and accepted responsibility for putting herself in the situation.
Real Warri Pikin, who frequently shares aspects of her marriage and family life with her online audience, has been married to Ikechukwu Asuoha since 2013. They have three children.
READ ALSO: TRENDING: Nigerian husbands become wives’ makeup models in viral transformations
Apology to husband
The comedian also addressed her husband’s reaction to the viral moment, indicating that he was unhappy about what happened.
She said being in the United States had made it more difficult for her to resolve the matter with him directly.
Real Warri Pikin ultimately apologised to her husband and to Nigerians who were disappointed by the incident, while maintaining that the stage appearance was spontaneous rather than pre-planned.
Neither her husband nor Timaya had publicly commented on the controversy as of the time of filing.
The incident somewhat overshadowed what had otherwise been a celebratory night for the comedian, who emerged as the Best Stand-Up Comedian at AFRIMMA.
Her response on Sunday was her first public explanation of the viral encounter.
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