Comedian and actress Anita Alaire Afoke Asuoha, popularly known as Real Warri Pikin, has issued a public apology to her husband following a backlash over a viral video showing singer Timaya lifting her during a performance at the African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA) in Dallas, Texas.
The incident occurred on Saturday during Timaya’s performance of his hit song “Ukwu.” A video from the event showed the comedian joining the singer on stage before he lifted her as part of his act, a signature move that has become a recurring feature of Timaya’s live performances.
The footage quickly circulated on social media, drawing mixed reactions from Nigerians, with some criticizing the interaction as inappropriate for a married woman.
On Sunday, Real Warri Pikin addressed the controversy in a selfie-style Instagram video captioned, “Abeg make Una nor Vex,” explaining that the stage appearance was entirely spontaneous rather than pre-planned.
According to her account, she had been backstage enjoying Timaya’s performance when the singer called for a woman to join him during “Ukwu.” Caught up in the excitement of the moment, she responded instinctively. However, she became reluctant when she realized Timaya intended to lift her, and could be seen in the viral footage pleading with him not to do so.
“I eventually went along with the stunt after the singer urged me not to disrupt his performance,” she explained.
The comedian referred to some of her critics as her “online in-laws,” revealing that some social media users had gone so far as to suggest she should leave her marriage over the incident. She firmly rejected this notion, distinguishing between followers who expressed genuine concern and those whose reactions she felt had crossed a line.
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Real Warri Pikin acknowledged that the behavior was out of character for her and accepted responsibility for putting herself in the situation. She also said her husband, Ikechukwu Asuoha, was unhappy about what happened, though being in the United States made it harder to resolve the matter with him directly.
“I’m sorry,” she said, apologizing to both her husband and disappointed Nigerians.
The comedian, who has been married to Ikechukwu Asuoha since 2013 and shares three children with him, frequently shares aspects of her marriage and family life with her online audience. The incident somewhat overshadowed what had otherwise been a celebratory night for her, as she emerged as the Best Stand-Up Comedian at AFRIMMA.
As of the time of filing, neither her husband nor Timaya had publicly commented on the controversy.
The incident highlights the intense scrutiny public figures face in the digital age, where a few seconds of spontaneous fun can quickly transform into a nationwide debate about propriety, marriage, and the boundaries of entertainment.
Promise Idoko is Junior Reporter working with moderncrux He covers global politics and international affairs. Based in Nigeria,
