Gina Yashere is all about pushing boundaries.
Whether in her stand-up routines or on Bob Hearts Abishola, the British Nigerian comedian and actor is committed to making the audience laugh while also making them think.
“I am a stand-up comedian, and my first point of call is to make you laugh,” Yashere says in an interview with The Rustin Times. “If I could make you think at the same time and maybe change your thinking on something, that’s icing on the cake.”
Yashere is a writer, actor, and co-creator of the critically acclaimed CBS sitcom Bob Hearts Abishola. The show follows the love story of Bob, a middle-aged compression sock businessman from Detroit, and Abishola, a cardiac nurse and Nigerian immigrant. The third season, currently airing, also explored the sexuality of one of its recurring characters, Morenike.
Homosexuality is still a contentious issue in the Nigerian community, both at home and abroad. The rights of LGBT+ people are not acknowledged or recognized, with laws punishing consenting same-sex relationships with jail time and, in some cases, death. Gina Yashere knew it was something she wanted to address on the show.
“I wanted to tell the story because, being a lesbian myself and coming from a Nigerian family, I felt like I was fortunate in that I was born outside of Nigeria, so I didn’t have a lot of the experiences that my Nigerian gay friends would have had with the indoctrination that the beatings. So, I felt fortunate and thought I’d get to talk about it. I’m trying to reach the people who may have someone in their family who is frightened to speak to them or who they ostracized and open the discussion.”
Fans of the show have also expressed their appreciation for the storyline.
The way uncle Tunde and his wife showed Morenike support has me in tears ❤️😭 #BobHeartsAbishola
— Olasunkanmi (@Eojaa_) January 18, 2022
I'm glad Morenike is choosing to live her truth & has the support of her Aunties. Great episode!
One of the best things about #BobHeartsAbishola is the way the show addresses prejudices with humor & allows for learning & growth.
— Nicol E Melmenditon (@QueenMelmendi) November 14, 2021
I love the support Tunde & Olu are giving Morenike throughout #BobHeartsAbishola
— Delightful Dame (@DelightfulDame) January 18, 2022
The state of LGBT rights in Nigeria, as well as across the African continent, saddens Yashere. However, her experience coming out to her mum reinforces the belief that people can be accepting regardless of their assumptions.
“My mother is a staunch Baptist. She’s a Christian Nigerian woman. And you know, for her, she accepted me for who I am coming from and where she’s coming from, and she was not totally against it. The fact that she loves me as her daughter trumps everything.”
The comedian has also made it a priority to express herself fully in her work. She feels that this will allow her to tear down barriers and change people’s perspectives.
“My comedy is not all about my sexuality. I talk about all aspects of my life. But my thing is not to hide who I am but to be who I am. If I live in my truth and people see me, live in my truth. And then people like me, regardless of who I’m with, it breaks down those barriers slowly.”
Her recent book ‘Cack-Handed: A Memoir’ recounts her experiences growing up as a Nigerian in England, her venture into comedy, and her relocation to the United States. After Bob Hearts Abishola has had its run, the intention is to adapt the book into a TV show.
“I’ve got some interest from various production companies and directors who want to get the rights to the book and make it into a show. So there, you will get even more Nigerian-ness on television at some point in the next year or two. I also want to get at least two to three more seasons of Bob Hearts Abishola. I want to get Bob Hearts Abishola to the world and have that as a beacon of Nigerian excellence on television.”
“I also want to start helping other African artists get their projects made. I’m all about bringing as many of us in as I possibly can. Even on Bob Hearts Abishola, I ensured that we got black writers in the room. We have also got another Nigerian woman writer in the room. I said to them. ‘I’m not the only me out there. Let me help you find others,’ and we’ll all make money.”
Yashere loves Nigeria’s LGBT+ community and is committed to supporting it in any way she can.
“I respect you guys. You are fighting the fight on the continent. I’m fighting from a relative place of comfort, you know. And I understand the privilege that I have to do that. So, the little bit that I can do with this TV show and telling our stories, It’s for you guys. So, I appreciate and thank you for the battles you’re fighting and the struggle you’re in. And I got your back.”
Bob Hearts Abishola currently airs on CBS and is available to stream on Paramount Plus. In addition, you can find her book, ‘Cack-Handed: A Memoir’ on Amazon. You can also watch the full interview with Gina here.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
