Bello Khabir Olajide, popularly known as Bello Kreb, is famous on social media platforms, especially Instagram, for the comical skits he does with his partner, Josh Alfred (Josh 2 Funny). Bello, who has over 74,000 followers on Instagram, is known for his funny facial expressions in his videos (silent comedy). He tells TIMILEYIN AKINKAHUNSI about his journey in the industry and the challenges he has overcome so far
How did comedy start for you?
I started in the church; that was where I met my colleague, Josh 2 Funny. I love acting; so joined a drama group in church. My colleague and I used to perform in churches, sometimes we would get paid and at other times, we wouldn’t get paid.
I have tried different arts in the past. I used to be a dancer but I broke my right shoulder in the process. After some time, I went into music. I used to rap but later discovered that music was not for me.
How were you able to grow your follower base?
I think my fan base goes beyond my followers on Instagram. When I go out, a lot of people recognise me and still ask me for my Instagram handle after taking pictures with me. I can remember when I had 2,000 followers; I told my friend about it and he was shocked. He said that I was famous. Unfortunately, when I hit 5,000 followers, I lost my phone. When this happened, I almost went crazy. I couldn’t have access to Instagram for a while, so every evening, I would go to my friend’s house to access my account on his phone. At a point, some people stopped following me because my skits were not being posted on Instagram consistently. I was not happy about that at all, it was like a dream come true when I hit 10,000 followers. After I got 10,000 followers, I felt accomplished.
When did you make your first skit?
My first skit was done in a mall around 2015. My friend recorded the video for me, using my phone, and it was silent comedy. The video only got 16 views.
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Did this discourage you?
I wasn’t discouraged at all; I didn’t feel bad because I was living my dream.
Is comedy your full-time job?
Yes, presently comedy is my full-time job; but I have plans of venturing into some other things in future.
What inspires the content of your videos?
Basically, the situation around me influences the contents of my videos. My kind of comedy is more like silent comedy. I don’t have to talk to make people laugh. It is a type of comedy that has to do with your facial expressions.
What are the efforts you put into making your skits?
Whenever Josh and I are shooting a skit, we just get dressed without having anything in mind. We brainstorm until an interesting idea comes up. However, when I want to shoot my own videos, I brainstorm before the production day. I want to give credit to Tunde Ednut and Josh 2 Funny; they inspire me. We use professional cameras and phones to record our skits.
You often do skits with Josh 2 Funny; some people see you as a sidekick, does this bother you?
It doesn’t bother me at all; it doesn’t stop me from doing what I want to do for myself. People may see me as his sidekick; but Josh doesn’t see me that way, he sees me as his colleague and friend. We work together.
How did you guys meet?
We met in church in 2007/2008. There was a day I went for a Sunday church service with my mum and didn’t go home immediately after the service. Then I saw some guys having a meeting and laughing. I asked them what their gathering was about and they told me it was a drama group, so I joined the group and met Josh there.
Where and how did you grow up?
I grew up in Mushin, Lagos – the ‘superstar area.’ My mum gave birth to four boys. When I was young, I noticed that people used to laugh at me because I had a very big head.
What kind of reactions do you get from your fans?
There was an event I went for, a lady saw me and just started laughing. Some of them (fans) call me a fool. Some fans are always shy or nervous to take pictures with me. They would send me a message later, telling me that they saw me but were too shy to approach me.
My female fans are the best, they always show me love and they are very real. When I see them at events, they always scream. I am always shy but they don’t believe (that I’m shy). I love my female fans.
Do you get advances from some female fans?
Yes, there was a time a woman older than me tried to woo me, but I was evasive. I am not ready to date a ‘mummy.’ Sometimes when I get advances from ladies, I threaten to block them. It is not like I am holy; I just want to get to a stage in my life first.
How did your mother react when you told her you wanted to do comedy?
Even before I started comedy, when I was into music and dancing, my mum used to stop me from going out. As her last child, I didn’t have freedom of movement. Josh used to come to my house to beg my mum if we needed to go for an event.
Eventually, she felt that it was okay when she realised it was bringing in money. She didn’t really know the details of what I was doing until she saw me on television. She was surprised but she had no choice.
How did you come up with the character, Pamera, and have you been bashed for dressing like a lady in your skits?
Josh actually came up with the character – Pamera. Interestingly, some people tell me to get a life and stop wearing female clothes for my skits. Some gay people also disturb me.
Do you think you would be popular without social media?
Yes, I would still be popular through acting or photography.
When you created your social media account, were you expecting to be this popular?
No, I actually wanted to be a Nollywood actor. If the platforms stop to exist, there are still ways I can make money. I have featured in some movies already.
What would you consider as the highlight of your career?
Some of the recognition I get from celebrity actors and comedians make me feel good and relevant. I am happy these people watch my skits and appreciate me.
Have you ever been a victim of online bullying?
Yes, I get bullied a lot. Anytime I ask my random comments some people take it personal. Some people even call to caution me against it. I just feel that they don’t see them as jokes. There was a particular celebrity that blocked me because of my random comments.
How did you come up with your popular comment – Can I say something?
I just wanted my comments to be different, I like doing things my way. I started with some stupid questions like asking some questions that require obvious answers. Some people would get angry but others would understand that it was a joke.
The stupid comments I make have won me cash gifts on Tunde Ednut’s page because I have been very interactive on his page.
Why do you always rub powder on your face in your skits?
I just do it to look fresher.
Have you started making money from your videos?
Yes, from adverts and sometimes I get paid for hosting events.
How do you handle bullies?
Sometimes I am tempted to reply online bullies, but I just ignore them.
What are the feedbacks you get from family and friends?
Some of my childhood friends are still surprised when they see my skits. They never expected I would turn out this way.
Have you had any reason to block anyone on your social media page?
I don’t block people because I feel there is a possibility they would come back to their senses. Although some people send insulting messages to me, I try to talk to them to stop what they’re doing regardless of how frustrating what they say can be.
You recently met with the Kogi State First Lady, Mrs. Rashida Bello, what was it about?
It was a normal visit. We went for a fashion show in Abuja, she was supposed to be there but she wasn’t there. She is a very lovely and open-minded person, so she invited us: me, Broda Shaggi and Josh to have breakfast in her house. I felt honoured by the invite.
Which of your skits brought you fame?
There was video I shot in which I created an illusion of a guy whose facial expression looked like he was masturbating; but he was actually shining his shoes. That video went very viral and lots of people reposted it. I got calls from people abroad; I wasn’t expecting the video to go viral like that.
Do you think social media is a viable way for youths to make money?
Yes, social media has been a good platform for me and my colleagues.
Of all your social media platforms, which of them is more vibrant?
All of them are active – Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Have you ever posted a video that landed you into trouble?
No, I stay away from trouble.
Do you have plans to go beyond social media professionally?
Yes, I have some plans but I don’t want to reveal anything yet.
What advice would you give to youths that like to follow in your footsteps?
I would advise them to be steadfast and active in their endeavours.
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