Comedian and actress Anita Alaire Asuoha, popularly known as Real Warri Pikin, has apologised to her husband and Nigerians following backlash over a viral video showing singer Timaya lifting her during a performance in the United States.
Gatekeepers News reports that the incident occurred on Saturday at the African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA) festival in Dallas, Texas, where Real Warri Pikin was honoured with the Best Stand-Up Comedian award. Timaya was also among the Nigerian artistes who performed at the event.
A video from the event showed Real Warri Pikin joining Timaya on stage while he performed his hit song, Ukwu. During the performance, the singer lifted the comedian, prompting mixed reactions on social media.
Some Nigerians criticised the interaction, particularly because Real Warri Pikin is married to Ikechukwu Asuoha.
Addressing the controversy in an Instagram video on Sunday, the comedian explained that she had been backstage enjoying Timaya’s performance when he asked a woman to join him on stage.
She said she responded spontaneously and did not initially know that the singer intended to lift her during the performance.
Real Warri Pikin said she became reluctant after realising what Timaya wanted to do and claimed that she could be seen in the full video asking him not to carry her.
“Nigerians, please take it easy on me, I’m really sorry. I take full responsibility for my actions. Na me put myself for this one,” she said.
Explaining how she ended up on stage, she added: “I dey backstage dey vibe when e dey perform when he say make a lady come out. And you know me na. When it comes to vibe, anything I dey. Na him I rush come outside.”
The comedian said she eventually participated after Timaya encouraged her not to disrupt his performance.
“Na him e say I go jump for him body. I shock. I say no oo. If you watch the full video, you go see where I dey beg am. I was very reluctant. Him say no oo. Na you come outside o. No spoil my performance,” she said.
Real Warri Pikin also acknowledged the reaction from social media users, referring to some of those who criticised her as her “online in-laws”. She said some people even suggested that she should leave her marriage over the incident.
She further disclosed that her husband was upset about what happened and apologised to him, while noting that being in the United States had made it difficult to address the matter with him directly.
“Make una no vex for me abeg. Like this now Ikechukwu dey vex for me and you know say I dey America, e too far,” she said.
The comedian maintained that the stage moment was spontaneous and not pre-planned.
The controversy came shortly after she celebrated her AFRIMMA recognition as Best Stand-Up Comedian, with the viral encounter subsequently drawing significant attention online.
