Nigerian comedian and actress Anita Asuoha, popularly known as Real Warri Pikin, has apologized to her husband, Ikechukwu, and Nigerians for her viral onstage encounter with singer Timaya at the 2026 AFRIMMA Awards.
Asuoha tendered the apology in a selfie-style video shared on her Instagram page on Monday evening, following widespread reactions to a video of the incident at the awards ceremony in Dallas, Texas, United States.
The viral clip showed Timaya lifting Real Warri Pikin during his performance of his hit song, “Ukwu”.
However, the comedian said the moment was unplanned, explaining that she was backstage enjoying the show when Timaya invited a female fan to join him on stage.
According to her, she rushed onto the stage without knowing what the performance required and became reluctant when she realised that the singer intended to lift her.
She said she could be seen pleading with Timaya not to lift her but eventually agreed after he urged her not to interrupt the performance.
The video later circulated widely on social media, triggering mixed reactions, particularly over the comedian’s conduct as a married woman.
Real Warri Pikin said some social media users referenced her more than a decade-long marriage to Ikechukwu and even urged her to leave the relationship over the incident.
She dismissed the calls, saying she had no intention of ending her marriage, while admitting that her conduct was out of character.
The comedian accepted responsibility for putting herself in the situation and apologised to those who were disappointed by her actions.
“Make una take am easy abeg; I am sorry. I take full responsibility for my actions. You people have dragged me to the bone.
“Yesterday, I jumped a very dangerous jump. I jumped into a conclusion,” she said.
She also acknowledged that her husband was displeased with the incident, noting that being in the United States made it more difficult to resolve the matter with him directly.
Real Warri Pikin has been married to Ikechukwu Asuoha since 2013, and the couple has three children.
READ ALSO: Real Warri Pikin Wins Best Stand-Up Comedian at AFRIMMA 2026
Neither Ikechukwu nor Timaya had publicly commented on the controversy as of the time of filing the report.
Timaya and other Nigerian artistes performed at the AFRIMMA Awards in Dallas on Saturday.
The AFRIMMA Awards are held annually in Dallas to recognise achievements in African music and entertainment. Real Warri Pikin won the Best Stand-Up Comedian award at the 2026 ceremony.
