Bobrisky
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Short description|Nigerian transgender woman (born 1991)}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Bobrisky
| image =Bobrisky cropped.png
| caption = Bobrisky on her birthday
| occupation = Social media personality
| birth_name = Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju
| birth_place =
| alma_mater = University of Lagos
| years_active =
| children =
| website =
| nationality = Nigerian
| other_names =
}}
Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju (born 31 August 1991), predominantly known as Bobrisky, is a Nigerian social media personality. She is known for her presence on the social media apps Snapchat, TikTok and Instagram.{{Cite news|url=https://thenet.ng/bobrisky-definitely-nigerias-kim-kardashian/|title=Why Snapchat king Bobrisky is definitely not Nigeria's Kim Kardashian|date=2017-01-18|newspaper=Nigerian Entertainment Today|language=en-GB|access-date=2017-02-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204170347/http://thenet.ng/2017/01/bobrisky-definitely-nigerias-kim-kardashian/|archive-date=2017-02-04|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/fashion/how-bobrisky-became-an-unlikely-female-style-icon/shfxxke|title=How Bobrisky became an unlikely female style icon|last=OBIORA|first=NTIANU|date=2018-11-06|website=Pulse Nigeria|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-16|archive-date=2019-11-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191116142528/https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/fashion/how-bobrisky-became-an-unlikely-female-style-icon/shfxxke|url-status=live}} She went viral on TikTok for creating the "bobrisky" dance in 2021.{{Cite web |last=OSBC_Admin |date=2023-05-06 |title=I Cook With Bottled Water Only – Bobrisky |url=https://osbcng.org/i-cook-with-bottled-water-only-bobrisky#google_vignette |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=OSBC {{!}} Osun State Broadcasting Corporation |language=en-US}}
Early life and education
Born Okuneye Idris Olarenwaju in 1991, Bobrisky attended both King's High School and Okota High School for her secondary school education, and graduated with a BSc degree in accounting from the University of Lagos (UNILAG).{{Cite news|url=http://naijanewsmag.com/2016/08/nigerians-react-to-bobrisky-gay-who-got-n7m-and-mercedes-from-lover/|title=Nigerians React to Bobrisky, Gay who got N7m and Mercedes From Lover|date=2016-08-23|work=Naijanewsmag|access-date=2017-03-14|language=en-US|archive-date=2017-03-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314154410/http://naijanewsmag.com/2016/08/nigerians-react-to-bobrisky-gay-who-got-n7m-and-mercedes-from-lover/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=http://gist.mp3bullet.ng/throwback-photos-male-barbie-doll-bobrisky-arrested-2011-cross-dressing/|title=Throwback photos of "Male Barbie Doll" Bobrisky when she was arrested in 2011 for cross-dressing|date=2016-09-01|work=Gist mp3bullet|access-date=2017-03-14|language=en-GB|archive-date=2017-03-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314153155/http://gist.mp3bullet.ng/throwback-photos-male-barbie-doll-bobrisky-arrested-2011-cross-dressing/|url-status=live}}
Exposure
She became recognized as being highly controversial on social media for not adhering to conservative Nigerian standards. Bobrisky has a huge following on social media. She was able to garner traffic to her Snapchat account when she claimed she had a lover who is assumed to be of masculine gender despite the law in Nigeria stating that same-sex relationships are an offence punishable by up to 14 years imprisonment.{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/nigeria/10570304/Nigeria-passes-law-banning-homosexuality.html|title=Nigeria passes law banning homosexuality|work=Telegraph.co.uk|access-date=2017-05-03|language=en|archive-date=2019-08-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190816035925/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/nigeria/10570304/Nigeria-passes-law-banning-homosexuality.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.reubenabati.com.ng/index.php/featured/item/384-10-nigerian-celebrities-who-became-famous-for-all-the-wrong-reasons-seun-joseph|title=10 Nigerian celebrities who became famous for all the wrong reasons - Seun Joseph|last=Abati|first=Reuben|access-date=2017-03-14|language=en-gb|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314153505/http://www.reubenabati.com.ng/index.php/featured/item/384-10-nigerian-celebrities-who-became-famous-for-all-the-wrong-reasons-seun-joseph|archive-date=2017-03-14|url-status=dead}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.olisa.tv/2016/09/bobrisky-evolution-before-and-after-photos-of-nigerias-famous-gender-bender/|title=Bobrisky: Before and After Photos of Nigeria's Famous Gender-Bender|date=2016-09-01|work=Olisa Blogazine|access-date=2017-03-14|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314154735/https://www.olisa.tv/2016/09/bobrisky-evolution-before-and-after-photos-of-nigerias-famous-gender-bender/|archive-date=2017-03-14|url-status=dead}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.nigeriatoday.ng/2016/10/watch-bobrisky-speak-at-abuja-conference-on-how-he-became-famous-on-social-media/|title=Watch Bobrisky speak at Abuja conference on how she became famous on social media|date=2016-10-27|work=Nigeria Today|access-date=2017-03-14|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314154713/http://www.nigeriatoday.ng/2016/10/watch-bobrisky-speak-at-abuja-conference-on-how-he-became-famous-on-social-media/|archive-date=2017-03-14|url-status=dead}} On 8 July 2021, she revealed a new physical appearance after undergoing surgery to become more feminine.{{Cite web|last=Tochukwu Andrew|title=Check Out Bobrisky's New Body As He Transforms Feminine After Surgery! - I Get Talk|date=9 July 2021 |url=https://igettalk.com/2021/07/bobrisky-new-body-photos.html|access-date=2021-08-09|language=en-US}}
Reaction
Bobrisky has been asked by certain event planners to give talks at events.{{Cite news|url=https://thenet.ng/nigerian-are-upset-with-bobrisky-who-is-speaking-at-a-conference-in-abuja-this-week/|title=Nigerians are upset with BOBRISKY who is speaking at a conference in Abuja this week|date=2016-10-25|work=Nigerian Entertainment Today|access-date=2017-05-03|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517134942/http://thenet.ng/2016/10/nigerian-are-upset-with-bobrisky-who-is-speaking-at-a-conference-in-abuja-this-week/|archive-date=2017-05-17|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://dailypost.ng/2016/10/27/bobrisky-speaks-abuja-conference-despite-controversies-photos/|title=Bobrisky speaks at Abuja conference despite controversies [PHOTOS]|date=2016-10-27|website=Daily Post Nigeria|access-date=2017-05-03|archive-date=2017-04-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404221022/http://dailypost.ng/2016/10/27/bobrisky-speaks-abuja-conference-despite-controversies-photos/|url-status=live}} A Nigerian presidential aide Bashir Ahmad, reportedly walked out of a premises on sighting Bobrisky within the residence.{{Cite web|url=http://saharareporters.com/2016/10/26/nigeria%E2%80%99s-presidential-aide-withdraws-new-media-conference-after-%E2%80%98male-barbie%E2%80%99-bobrisky|title=Nigeria's Presidential Aide Withdraws From New Media Conference After 'Male Barbie' Bobrisky Announced As Speaker|date=2016-10-26|website=Sahara Reporters|access-date=2017-05-03|archive-date=2017-02-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170210035452/http://saharareporters.com/2016/10/26/nigeria%E2%80%99s-presidential-aide-withdraws-new-media-conference-after-%E2%80%98male-barbie%E2%80%99-bobrisky|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://thewhistler.ng/story/i-won-t-share-the-same-podium-with-bobrisky-buhari-s-media-aide|title=I Won't Share The Same Podium With Bobrisky - Buhari's Media Aide|work=The Whistler.|access-date=2017-05-03|language=en-gb|archive-date=2017-10-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016122445/https://thewhistler.ng/story/i-won-t-share-the-same-podium-with-bobrisky-buhari-s-media-aide/|url-status=live}} In 2019, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, Director General of Nigeria's National Council for Arts and Culture, called Bobrisky "a national disgrace"{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/tori-49555587|title=Wetin be Bobrisky crime?|last=Itie|first=Harry|date=2019-09-02|work=bbc.com/pidgin|access-date=2019-11-16|language=en-GB pidgin|archive-date=2019-12-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212163159/https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/tori-49555587|url-status=live}} and said she would be "dealt with ruthlessly" if caught on the streets.{{Cite web|url=https://www.informationng.com/2019/08/bobrisky-a-national-disgrace-olusegun-runsewe.html|title='Bobrisky A National Disgrace' — Olusegun Runsewe|last=Alabi|first=Temitope|date=2019-08-25|website=Information Nigeria|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-16|archive-date=2019-11-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191116131202/https://www.informationng.com/2019/08/bobrisky-a-national-disgrace-olusegun-runsewe.html|url-status=live}}
==Influence==
In November 2016, Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google's Communications and Public Affairs Manager for West Africa, stated that Bobrisky was the most searched individual in Nigeria from 26 October to November of that year.{{cite web|last1=Ade|first1=Josh|title=Bobrisky Is The Most Searched Personality on Google|date=2 November 2016|url=http://olorisupergal.com/bobrisky-searched-personality-google/|publisher=olorisupergal.com|access-date=2016-12-06|archive-date=2016-12-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161211114358/http://olorisupergal.com/bobrisky-searched-personality-google|url-status=live}}[https://www.legit.ng/1434041-bobrisky-speed-darlington-blows-hot-as-another-female-fan-gets-tattoo-of-crossdresser-on-backside.html Bobrisky: Speed Darlington Blows Hot As Another Female Fan Gets Tattoo of Crossdresser on Backside] Bobrisky has also garnered attention through her associations with other Nigerian celebrities, including Tonto Dikeh.{{Cite web |last=Bless |first=Nessa |date=2024-08-25 |title=Bobrisky Showers Praises On His Former Best Friend, Tonto Dikeh For Dashing Her Money While He Was In Jail |url=https://www.ghanacelebrities.com/2024/08/25/bobrisky-showers-praises-on-his-former-best-friend-tonto-dikeh-for-dashing-her-money-while-he-was-in-jail/ |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=GhanaCelebrities.Com |language=en-US}}
Legal Issues
= Naira mutilation and conviction =
In early April 2024, Bobrisky was arrested for allegedly defacing naira banknotes, following an investigation by the EFCC. The charges stemmed from social media videos that appeared to show her throwing money in the air at a film premiere the previous month.{{cite news |last1=Abubakar |first1=Mansur |title=Bobrisky: Nigerian celebrity arrested for abuse of naira |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-68732205 |access-date=4 April 2024 |publisher=BBC News |date=4 April 2024}} Bobrisky entered a guilty plea to four counts of currency abuse on April 5, 2024. The maximum penalty for this offence is six months in prison.{{cite news |last1=Ikulajolu |first1=Adesola |title=Bobrisky: Nigerian internet personality pleads guilty to abuse of naira |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-68742790 |access-date=7 April 2024 |publisher=BBC News |date=5 April 2024}} On April 12, 2024, Bobrisky was sentenced to six months in prison with no option of fine over the "abuse and mutilation the Naira notes".{{Cite web |last=Soyele |first=Olugbenga |date=2024-04-12 |title=BREAKING: Celebrity Transgender, Bobrisky, Jailed 6 Months Over Naira Abuse |url=https://leadership.ng/breaking-celebrity-transgender-bobrisky-jailed-6-months-over-naira-abuse/ |access-date=2024-04-12 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2024-04-12 |title=Bobrisky sentenced to jail: Which prison dem go keep crossdresser Idris Okuneye? |url=https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/articles/cxe802p7xz6o |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=BBC News Pidgin}} Bobrisky was released from prison on August 5, 2024{{Cite web |last=Nseyen |first=Nsikak |date=2024-08-05 |title=Bobrisky released from prison |url=https://dailypost.ng/2024/08/05/bobrisky-released-from-prison/ |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=Daily Post Nigeria |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Ijeoma |first=Ijeoma |date=2024-08-05 |title=Breaking: Crossdresser Bobrisky released from prison |url=https://www.dockaysworld.com.ng/crossdresser-bobrisky-released-from-prison/ |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=Dockaysworld}}{{Cite web |last=Nosa |first=Oke-Hortons |date=2024-08-05 |title="Freedom at last": Bobrisky trends as he leaves Kirikiri prison, video trends |url=https://www.legit.ng/entertainment/celebrities/1606194-breaking-controversial-crossdresser-bobrisky-finally-released-kirikiri-prison/ |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=Legit.ng - Nigeria news. |language=en}}
= Immigration service =
On October 20, 2024, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) arrested Bobrisky while she was trying to leave the country through Seme border.{{cite news |title=Immigration confirms arrest of Bobrisky at Seme border|url=https://briefly.ng/|access-date=21 October 2024|agency=Briefly.ng}} She spent the night of that same day in custody and on October 21, 2024 she was transferred to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex in Alagbon, Lagos.{{cite news|title=Immigration Service transfers Bobrisky to FCID after spending night in prison|url=https://briefly.ng/|access-date=22 October 2024|agency=Briefly.ng}}
= EFCC legal battle =
Following a legal battle with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after VeryDarkMan's online leak of Bobrisky's audio recording, on 30 November 2024 it was reported that Bobrisky's fundamental rights suit against the EFCC was dismissed by a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on 28 November 2024.{{cite web|url=https://newsexpressngr.com/news/244720/court-dismisses-bobriskys-fundamental-rights-suit-against-efcc|title=Court dismisses Bobrisky's fundamental rights suit against EFCC|last=Ogedegbe|first=Isaiah|publisher=NewsExpress Nigeria|access-date=2024-11-30|archive-date=2024-11-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130141400/https://newsexpressngr.com/news/244720/court-dismisses-bobriskys-fundamental-rights-suit-against-efcc|url-status=dead}} Justice Alexander Owoeye had ruled that Bobrisky's "claims of violation of fundamental rights" lacked merit and could not be supported by "credible evidence".
See also
- {{Annotated link|Fola Francis}}
- {{Annotated link|Jay Boogie}}
- {{Annotated link|Miss Sahhara}}
- {{Annotated link|Noni Salma}}
- {{Annotated link|James Brown (internet personality)}}