Nigerian skit maker and comedian Zicsaloma has addressed ongoing speculation about his portrayal of female characters, insisting that it is solely a performance strategy and not an indication of his personal identity or lifestyle.
During a recent interview, Zicsaloma—who recently had cosmetic procedures including a nose job and facial enhancements in Turkey—dismissed accusations suggesting he is a crossdresser in real life.
He clarified that dressing as a woman in his skits is simply part of his comedic style, much like other performers take on culturally specific roles for humor. According to him, his acts are meant to entertain and should not be confused with personal beliefs or expressions.
“I am not a crossdresser; I only dress like women for content. I don’t even wear makeup—not that I can’t do comedy without it. Mimicking females is my comic strength,” he said.
The comedian went on to question the logic behind the criticism, saying:
“There are people who are good at mimicking different characters, like a typical Hausa man. Are you saying I influenced popular crossdressers—I don’t want to mention names—who heavily dress as women to events in gowns?”
His response comes at a time when discussions around gender roles, identity, and entertainment are becoming more prominent in Nigeria, especially as male creators who appear in feminine outfits continue to face public scrutiny.