Award-winning Nigerian comedian Real Warri Pikin has appealed to Nigerians to show restraint in their criticism of her following a viral incident involving singer Timaya at the 2026 AFRIMMA Awards in Dallas, United States.
The comedian, whose real name is Anita Asuoha, came under scrutiny on social media after videos from the awards ceremony circulated widely. In the clips, Timaya is seen lifting Real Warri Pikin during his stage performance, prompting mixed reactions from viewers online.
While the moment appeared to draw amusement from those attending the event, some social media users questioned the comedian’s decision to participate in the interaction and suggested that the incident crossed personal or marital boundaries.
Addressing the controversy in a video shared after the event, Real Warri Pikin explained that her appearance on stage was not planned in the manner portrayed by some of the online reactions.
According to her, Timaya had invited a woman from the audience to join him during his performance. She said she was initially hesitant because she did not want to jump around or become overly involved in the performance.
She eventually agreed to join the singer after he reassured her that she would be fine.
However, Real Warri Pikin said the situation took an unexpected turn when Timaya lifted her in front of the audience, leaving her in an awkward position.
She stressed that the incident occurred in the context of a live stage performance and that the interpretation of the moment online differed considerably from how it was perceived by people who were physically present at the event.
Appealing to Nigerians to temper their criticism, the comedian said she understood why some people might have reacted negatively but urged them not to make sweeping judgments about her character based on a brief viral clip.
“Make una take am easy, I beg. I’m sorry. I take full responsibility of my actions,” she said.
Real Warri Pikin also acknowledged that some of the reactions may have come from people who were genuinely concerned about her, particularly because of the public nature of the incident.
“I understand where una dey come from. Maybe some people are just genuinely concerned,” she said.
The comedian, however, maintained that the incident should not be interpreted as an indication of disrespect towards her husband or as evidence of inappropriate intentions.
She clarified that she had no intention of disrespecting her marriage and did not deliberately seek to engage in behaviour that would compromise her values.
Real Warri Pikin further described the episode as an unexpected and awkward moment that unfolded during a live entertainment performance, rather than an action intended to offend anyone.
The controversy comes shortly after the comedian received recognition at the AFRIMMA Awards, where she won the Best Stand-Up Comedian award, adding another international accolade to her career.
The episode has nevertheless reignited discussions on social media about celebrity conduct, public perception and the tendency to draw conclusions from short video clips without the full context of what happened.
For Real Warri Pikin, the appeal appears to be for a more measured response, particularly where viral moments involve circumstances that may not be fully captured by footage circulating online.