Nigerian entertainer Charly Boy has explained how living alongside homos*xual and transgender individuals inspired his style and originality.
In a recent interview on the With Chude podcast, presented by Chude Jideonwo, Charly Boy talked about his fashion choices in the 80s and 90s, which led to suspicions about his s*xuality.
Jideonwo asked, “Why did your first look seem more feminine? What was behind that choice?” Charly Boy explained that his style—wearing makeup, lipstick, and having a feminine look—got people talking and led to speculation about whether he was gay.
“I used to have a girly look back in the day. I wore makeup, lipstick, and that’s when people started thinking I was gay,” Charly Boy said. “But my friend Tina told me, ‘You need something more masculine.’”
He also revealed that when he lived in America, many of his friends were transvestites—people who dress in clothes of the opposite s*x.
“I wasn’t one, but I loved being around them. I liked how they could switch between looks, and I studied them,” he said.
He added that being around LGBTQ+ friends helped him create the character “Linda” on The Charly Boy Show.
“Linda was my alter ego. It was easy to play that role because I had learned from my friends who were bi, gay, and transgender,” he explained.
Despite the influence of his friends, he made it clear that he’s always been a trendsetter. “I love being myself and standing out. I don’t follow trends—I create my own. That’s how I’ve always been, even from birth,” he said.
