Beyond the Laughter-Unveiling the Journey of The Real Warri Pikin.

Beyond the Laughter  Unveiling the journey of the Real Warri Pikin.

Few months back, an elderly man told me, “Many ladies in the Media Space barely have beautiful marriages.” Well, today’s personality on My Story Nigeria lives to conquer the tides. From how empathetic she is to how real she communes with her audience; she is a trailblazer in her industry. Was it always like this? No, it was not. From the mother who attempted suicide to the big lady whose life was on the line because of her weight, out from these ashes arose The Real Warri Pikin.

“Real Warri Pikin” is a popular Nigerian comedienne and social media personality, whose real name is Anita Alaire Afoke Asuoha . Born on July 25, 1991, in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria.

Anita Asuoha spent her formative years in Warri, a city known for its vibrant culture and diverse population. Born and raised in Warri, Delta State, South-South Nigeria, the third of eight children, dance was Anita’s first love and it drove her early hustle. Growing up, she developed an interest in entertainment and comedy, finding joy in making people laugh. Her childhood experiences in Warri likely influenced her comedic style, characterized by a blend of pidgin English, relatable anecdotes, and a genuine connection with her audience.

She attended Delta State University, where she studied English and Literary Studies. While in university, her passion for entertainment continued to grow, laying the foundation for her future career in comedy.

Now, here is an exciting part of her life. Do you know that she never planned out to be a comedienne? In 2005, she attempted to join the Big Brother Naija reality show but was unsuccessful. Despite facing initial setbacks, she participated in the Glo Rock ‘N’ Rule dance competition in 2008, emerging as the winner and securing a one-year ambassadorship with Glo. After unsuccessful auditions at the Peak Talent Hunt and Maltina Dance All competitions, she persisted, making it to the finals of the latter in 2011 and second prize winner. Despite this achievement, she felt unfulfilled in her dance career and decided to explore other opportunities.

In 2013, she took a break from dancing after getting married, reflecting on her motivations and redirecting her focus. Subsequently, she explored various fields, attending movie auditions, trying her hand at music, modeling, and engaging in MC and host/red-carpet roles. This period marked a transition in her career journey as she sought fulfillment in diverse avenues beyond dance.

This is where the twist happened. The beautiful wife, Anita and her husband, Ikechukwu lived a contented life in Lugbe, Abuja. Soon, the couple thought about increasing their finances. So, they engaged in a business that required collecting funds from others, to be repaid. Some of the loans were to be paid with interest. Months into the business, there was a slope that resulted in the crash of the business. Soon, they were in debt and needed to repay the funds yet they had little or no cash to repay their Loan sharks. It was a devastating time for the family as the loan gradually rose to twenty-two million naira and their paid employment could not pay quarter the required fee. According to Mrs. Anita, as at then, the combined salary of her husband and hers was not up to two hundred and fifty thousand naira, per month.

The issue became so tense and Anita could not bear the shame. Her children could not attend school, sold the family properties to pay the debt, and ate noodles on credit. Thus, in debt to the noodle’s seller along their street. They did restrict their movement around the seller’s kiosk until the seller is not seen at his kiosk at certain hours of the day.

Anita’s first suicide attempt was a failure, as she had planned to hit a heavy vehicle – to cause a fatal accident but when she had a rethink, she drove back home. She was not ready to die.

Days passed and her children longed to go back to school. She took them to the school, to plead with the school authority to accommodate her children in school but they were chased at the school’s gate, never to be seen around the school. That was the encounter that broke the camel’s back. Boom! She closed her eyes, in a blink, the killer was in her mouth – snipper.

She gulped half a bottle of the deadly liquid. She felt hot in her mouth and kissed her back to the floor. All hell was let loose, from the hospital in Lugbe, to Jabi, Garki and an attempt to move her to a hospital in Gwagwalada, someone asked, “What was it she drank again?” First aid was issued, charcoal and water.

After one week of tasting death and thirsting for life, Anita survived. Some creditors sympathized with her while others enquired about their money. Anita thought of sharing her story online, via Instagram. At least, she is alive, maybe she did not cross to the other side of life, so that she can encourage someone with her story. Soon, many who listened to her story were not only blessed, they found her style of telling the story funny. Well, personally, I find her style of entertainment unique; from her carriage, the pidgin language she uses to how sarcastic she can be. She eases the tension in telling a too serious story. So, while getting the straight message, you feel calm in her comic atmosphere. This was the sauce in her style of telling her attempted suicide story. Soon, the debt was fully paid and her unique style of storytelling grew into the comedy that it is.

While enjoying the beauty of this next stage of her life; The celebrity Suicide Survivor, Anita began facing issues with her weight.

She was not always on the big side. She was a slim lady. Remember that she used to be a dancer, with the prospect of building a career as a professional dancer. Life happened. As she gave birth to her kids, she got bigger in size. Her big size came with the desire to eat too much, something she later considered to be an eating disorder.

Her weight issue came with embarrassing moments as she built her career in entertainment; from difficult breathing to knee pain, headache and dizziness, refunding money to clients due to health issues and becoming a regular visitor to the hospital.

One day, her husband looked her in the eyes and told her, “I love you the way you are but your health is at risk, we need to act fast about your weight.” Her doctor got involved and she was advised to opt for gastric sleeve surgery, a type of weight loss surgery. It was a defining moment for the family, considering the risk involved but she did it anyway. Let me stress that she did not come to this tough decision on her own, she had a supportive man for a husband; who pulled her through.

Weeks after the surgery, social media was buzzed by the transformed Real Warri Pikin that appeared on the screen of its users. This was the beginning of her sit and share episodes of how and why she had got weight-loss surgery.

Her ability to capture humor in everyday situations, often drawing from her personal experiences, contributed to the rapid growth of her online following.

What sets Real Warri Pikin apart is not only her comedic talent but also her authenticity and relatability. Her content reflects the realities of daily life, presenting a mix of humor and social commentary. The use of pidgin English, a popular Nigerian creole, adds a distinctive flavor to her comedy, making it accessible to a broad audience.

Real Warri Pikin’s rise to prominence can be attributed to the virality of her as her follower count increased, so did her influence in the Nigerian entertainment scene. She became a sought-after personality for collaborations, interviews, and appearances on various media platforms.

Beyond social media, Real Warri Pikin extended her reach by performing at live events, comedy shows, and other public engagements. Her live performances allowed fans to experience her humor in person, further solidifying her status as a notable figure in the Nigerian comedy industry.

Real Warri Pikin’s influence extends beyond entertainment; she has used her platform to advocate for positive change. One notable area of focus is mental health awareness. In a society where mental health is sometimes stigmatized, she has been vocal about the importance of seeking help, normalizing conversations about mental well-being, and addressing issues such as depression and anxiety.

Her advocacy also extends to women’s rights and empowerment. Real Warri Pikin encourages women to embrace their strength, pursue their dreams, and challenge societal norms that limit their potential. Through her experiences and storytelling, she empowers women to take control of their narratives and strive for success in various fields.

Real Warri Pikin is also known or sharing glimpses of her family life, particularly her relationship with her husband, Ikechukwu Asuoha, popularly known as “Igwe Tupac.” Their dynamic and humorous interactions have become a significant part of her content, endearing them to fans who appreciate the genuine and relatable nature of their relationship.

Real Warri Pikin’s journey is a testament to the evolving nature of entertainment, where social media serves as a powerful platform for individuals to share their stories, connect with audiences, and effect positive change. As her career continues to unfold, it is evident that Real Warri Pikin’s impact reaches far beyond laughter; it encompasses empowerment, advocacy, and a genuine connection with those who find inspiration in her journey.

In her, I see authenticity and divine speed. I see a woman with a balanced social and marriage life. What is your predicament? It is not coincidental that

you are reading this, your second chance starts now.