It comes to no surprise to hear the emergence of the popular crossdresser Idris Olarenwaju, popularly called Bobrisky, as the ‘Best Dressed Female’ at Ajakaju - the Beasts of Two Worlds - movie premiere that took place recently at Circle Mall, Lekki, Lagos State. However what is somewhat shocking is the reactions this award has sparked amongst some showbiz celebrities and other Nigerians.

The movie’s producer, Eniola Ajao, awarded ‘Best Dressed Female’ and ‘Best Dressed Male’ to Bobrisky and the ex- BBNaija housemate, Groovy, respectively. Bobrisky, who identifies as a female, was awarded N1 million, while Groovy also got N1 million. Bobrisky wore an all-black regal outfit with a cape and a staff, scintillating the aesthetic perception of the producer, Eniola Ajao and perhaps many others who attended the movie’s premiere.

Ever since this entertainment news filtered out, Nigerians from various strata of lives have taken to the social media to criticize the decision of awarding Bobrisky the ‘Best Female Dresser’ who isn’t ontologically female. Friday Omosola beautifully captures the reactions and criticisms in one of his recent articles in Premium Times, 25^th March, 2024, Beasts of Two Worlds: Reactions as Bobrisky emerges ‘Best Dressed Female’ at movie premiere. According to Omosola, Actress Dayo Amusan, who attended the premiere, walked out after Bobrisky was named the winner. In a video on her Instagram page on Monday, the actress condemned the award. She expressed disappointment in the judges who picked Bobrisky, which she considered disrespectful to the women who attended the event.

 Amusan in her exact words said as reported by Friday Omosola - “I attended the premiere of a colleague yesterday, where they announced that the Best Dressers would be chosen, “one female and one male. Let me clarify: the winner could be anyone, but certainly not a Crossdresser. I mean, what’s the issue here? I don’t understand it’’.  She continues, “I can’t fathom the judges disrespecting every woman present. You had to select a winner, both a female and male, best-dressed, and yet you undermine the effort of all the women, thereby awarding the ‘Best-Dressed Female’ title to a Crossdresser. I don’t understand; what’s wrong with us?”

Expressing shock at Bobrisky’s emergence, actress Toyin Abraham questioned the event organizer’s decision. Abraham, in a video that captured her, Bobrisky, and others at the event, expressed shock that the Crossdresser beats all female celebrities and guests to emerge as the winner. She said, “Bobrisky as the Best-Dressed Female? If I give you an uppercut! Are you all insane that Bobrisky is winning ‘Best Female’? Are you crazy? Well, you better share some of that money with me.”

Similarly, the controversial singer, Habeeb Okikiola, alias portable, condemned Bobrisky’s win. The 30-year-old singer argued that awarding Bobrisky, a male, ‘Best Female Dresser’ meant that the judges were promoting homosexuality. He stated, “Is Bobrisky a woman? Doesn’t he wear an artificial bum and breasts? There were beautiful actresses at the event, but the judges deemed them unworthy, yet a male was awarded ‘Best Dressed Female’. “The Ogun-born singer criticized the judges for awarding Bobrisky, believing it had set a destructive precedent.

He expressed concern that children exposed to such attitudes might emulate the path of cross-dressing. “Our children will now imitate Bobrisky, a man who does not possess feminine features, simply because the judges honoured him with an award. Those who should be in prison or punished for disobeying religious commandments and the country’s laws are being celebrated,” Portable noted. The ‘Zazzu Zeh’ crooner labelled the judges who deemed Bobrisky worthy as a crazy set of people. He warned Bobrisky not to come to Sango-Ota, Ogun State, dressed in female attire because he would be dealt with.

Furthermore, social media influencer Daniel Regha stated that Bobrisky winning the ‘Best Dressed Female’ award insulted every female attendee at the premiere. Regha said the organizers were not the only ones at fault; those who joyfully or playfully acknowledged his win should also be blamed.

An X user, Oluwabunmi Micheal (@Harwolyehmi1), criticized actors Femi Adebayo and Odunlade Adekola for being at an event where Bobrisky won such an award.  He argued that presenting Bobrisky with such an award implies that Nigeria has lost its values. Another X user, Sir Dickson (@Wizarad10), supported actress Dayo’s anger, stating that it was valid. He emphasized that awarding Bobrisky with such an award was detrimental and sent a negative message to society, especially to the women at the event. “A man should not be winning ‘Best-Dressed Female’ for any reason.” (https://twitter.com/Harwohyehmi1/status/17721519)

Why isn’t it a surprise that Bobrisky won the ‘Best Female Dresser Award’? Bobrisky identifies as a female, one of the ‘gifts’ of relativism to our modern world. He has consistently and boldly pitched his tent with the female gender and has used the same energy to denounce muscularity. He announced recently that he has acquired the female genitalia and has successfully transitioned into womanhood. He advertises himself on most social media platforms such as Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook. He has bold fashion choices, unapologetic self- expression and a fondness for controversy. ( https://guardian.ng> life> bobrisky) In other words, Bobrisky has worked for who he is today.

Eniola Ajao and all those responsible for the award understood this clearly. One core point those who reacted and criticized his award hinged their dissatisfaction on is his gender and not on the quality and sophistication of his dress and style. Let us not forget, he has the freedom to identify as whatever. Yes, it might not be the best choice or a morally correct choice, but that is his choice and most importantly for him, his brand. Perhaps the movie producer, the organizers and judges at the premiere respected his preferred identity; they focused on his feminine dress sense, which flawed all of the Toyin Abrahams’.

Nigerians shouldn’t forget that this is an event in the circle of entertainment industry where all modern and aberrant live styles are showcased. Why don’t we think it could perhaps be a strategy to advertise Ajakaju? The producer needs to trigger Nigerians to get to the Cinemas to check up this movie. Bobrisky’s award could generate that trigger because he is a controversial celebrity, like it or not. Boom, Portable has released a song, ‘’Brotherhood’’, to shade Bobrisky.  There is no time one would listen to this song without remembering the circumstance of its emergence. At the end of the day Ajakaju goes viral. 

I don’t claim to know the criteria for Bob’s emergency but I think his personality and style of dress for the premiere gave him away for the award. Ajakaju (Beasts of Two Worlds), Eniola Ajao’s debut movie, tells the story of a powerful lady named Ajalara, who lives in two worlds – who is both human and animal. In like manner, Bobrisky in his true self, lives in two worlds, masculinity –  physical strength and will power - feminity, ‘’a quintessential nature of womanhood that is ontologically in all women. It characterizes the finesse with which most women execute their duties.’’ (Timothy Etsenamhe, the Genius of Women, 2009)   Also, his style of dress depicts that of a warrior with mystical power, who slays and plunders like Ajalara, and a king like King Towobola, who ventures into the forest to confront Ajalara.

I am surprised that many Nigerians are batting on-eyelids because of Bobrisky’s award. The world of entertainment, especially Nollywood- a portmanteau of Nigeria and Hollywood, a sobriquet that originally referred to the Nigeria film industry, is a make - believe world. It is often imaginary, illusory, and delusional. Eniola Ajao and the judges did their job well, after all said and done,  by awarding a delusional brand like Bobrisky as the ‘Best Female Dresser’ at the premiere of Ajakaju in order to make their product controversial and sensational. Guess what? On Good Friday, 29^th of March 2024, you would find people in cinemas for Ajakaju perhaps in proportionate numbers with those in the halls of Churches for the passion of Christ.