He was born Idris Okuneye, male and a native of Ogun State. In his quest to be different, he transformed almost all the maleness in him in...
He was born Idris Okuneye, male and a native of Ogun State. In his quest to be different, he transformed almost all the maleness in him into a feminine personality we have all come to know as Bobrisky. His voice, mannerisms and looks are all of a woman.
For this, he has made many enemies from both sexes.
Africa’s Male Barbie and Cross Dresser, Bobrisky The men feel uncomfortable around a man who is all woman and the women just can’t accept a man putting up a challenge as a woman.
So, for Bobrisky it is walking a tight rope as what many have termed the African male-Barbie. Surely, many don’t trust him, but he has successfully created an image that has launched him to limelight, where he has too many questions to answer though: There has been many questions about your sexuality.
I will like you to tell us in plain words if you are straight?
I am very straight. People fail to understand that I am only using what I have to get what I need. One can use any logic to achieve his dream or put food on one’s table as long as you don’t kill or steal from others. I am into cosmetics and Nigerian ladies love cosmetics a lot. I am only doing something to make myself different from many others who are into this same business of mine just to get people’s attention. And thank God that I have more customers than you can imagine, though I receive many bad comments. There should be a form of evidence before you can call anyone gay. There is a law that frowns at gay marriage but I don’t think there is any law that says a man should be persecuted if he chooses to look like a girl. I am not impersonating, I only chose to have the shade of a girl. I am a guy and many people know I am a guy. I have said this many times even in a live chat that I am straight. I am only doing this to get more attention and customers. Anyway, they can choose to say anything they like.
Some set of people still believe that you had a transgender operation and that is why you look more like a woman?
I didn’t undergo any transgender operation. I only apply cream on my skin. If I had undergone such operation, I will have breasts. I have been like this from childhood. It is only my look that has changed and that is because of the cream which makes me fairer and my make-ups.
Being a Yoruba man, how are your people taking this, especially your parents?
My family understands my person and they know I would never hide anything away from them. My family are the only people I can trust because you can’t even trust your friends. They are comfortable with me and appreciate me a lot. My family know I am very straight. I am only trying to make money without depending on any of them. And as long as my family believes in me, I do not care.
Are you in a relationship?
I am in a relationship but it’s ‘coded’ . You don’t expect me to tell the world about my relationship. My marriage should be a breaking news. Let people say whatever they like now, I want the news about my marriage to be shocking, that is my dream.
How many of the women folks come to you wanting to date you or be your friend?
Many women come to me, even on Snapchat. Some will even curse me to gain my attention but they don’t get it. This gets them so mad and leave them with no other choice than to think I’m gay. Many women admire me but believe I am gay. Some will even tell me to only sleep with them. I get different comments even from older women.
How much are you into women?
I am not a womaniser but that does not mean I can’t get down with a woman. One man’s food is another man’s poison. I am not the type who really loves sex or women. It takes a while for me to get into relationships. I went to a boarding school so I have been trained to be indoor. You hardly see me everywhere which makes it difficult to really be into women. I am only popular because God wants me to. I hardly attend parties or grant interviews. I didn’t struggle to be out there. Some habits are peculiar to men like drinking, smoking etc.
Do you exhibit any of these?
I don’t drink or smoke. I only go clubbing like twice in a year or once in five months.
Tell me five things people don’t know about you? I am nice and the sweetest person you can be with. I care about people a lot. I come from a polygamous home. My mum is late. I look like my mum, she was very pretty and I also have a heart like hers. I am a Muslim but love going to church. My parents are Muslims. I love fashion, looking good. When a guy is too fine, people tend to believe he is gay. People wonder how a guy has time to apply cream or make-up. I am a very clean guy. People think I am the female gay and that is where the gay thing came from. I am also God-fearing.
You said you are a Muslim but love going to church, does that imply that you are not a practicing Muslim?
I am not a practicing Muslim. I started going to church as an undergraduate. My room-mate was one of the executives of the Christian Fellowship. So I got fascinated and usually joined them to pray. I know prayer works and do that daily. If I have to be a practicing Muslim, I will have to do ablution five times a day and apply make-up after each ablution and that will be very stressful.
Do you have a Christian name?
My Muslim name is Idris. I don’t really have a Christian name. But I use ‘’Olanrewaju’’ as cover. By this, people will not know if I am a Christian or a Muslim.
How did your dad react to this?
I love my dad so much. He didn’t and will never force a particular religion on any of his children. He will only advise us to be close to God. My elder sister used to be a Muslim but changed to a Christian after marrying a Christian man. Infact, she is now a pastor in Kaduna.
You are yet to tell me when you intend to settle down?
I am just 25 years and not a woman who is scared of menopause. I still want to enjoy my money. I will be restricted from certain things if I settle down now. I see marriage as a cage. Imagine, if I am married and now find myself in this present situation, the lady in question will feel insecure. Marriage for me is a big issue. My girlfriend is in London and she has been calling me to know the situation of things. She sent me a text that almost moved me to tears. I also have many male admirers who want me to be their sexual partners. I get about two to three guys who want to get down with me everyday. I am very fair that people get attracted to me easily. But they don’t see me as a guy. I know I have to be careful in order to achieve my dreams.
