{{Short description|Nigerian transgender woman (born 1998)}} {{Infobox person | name = Jay Boogie | image = | occupation = Social media personality | birth_name = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1998|06|26}} | birth_place = Port-Harcourt, Nigeria | years_active = | children = | website = | nationality = | other_names = }} '''Jay Boogie''' (born 26 June 1998)<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Ngwan |first=Nenpan |date=2022-12-09 |title=Who Is Jay Boogie the Cross-dresser and Has He Had Surgery? |url=https://buzznigeria.com/who-is-jay-boogie-the-cross-dresser-and-has-he-had-surgery/ |access-date=2023-10-11 |website=Buzz Nigeria |language=en-US}}</ref> is a Nigerian transgender fashion enthusiast, brand influencer and social media personality who founded JaySecrets. She became famous on Instagram in her early twenties, with her gender transition gaining attention from Nigerians on social media platforms.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2023-07-16 |title=Jay Boogie: 'Nigerians prefer to welcome criminals into society than transgender pipo' |url=https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/articles/cz543zn6zndo |access-date=2023-10-11 |website=BBC News Pidgin}}</ref> Boogie has been listed among the top five crossdressers in Nigeria alongside Bobrisky and James Brown.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-06 |title=Top 10 Cross Dressers In Nigeria, their Biography, Net-worth & More |url=https://www.dockaysworld.com.ng/top-10-cross-dressers-in-nigeria/ |access-date=2023-10-11 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Azeez |first=Fatimat |date=2023-06-16 |title=Top 10 Nigerian Cross-Dressers (2023) |url=https://rnn.ng/nigerian-cross-dressers/ |access-date=2023-10-11 |website=rnn.ng |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-11-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120205317/https://rnn.ng/nigerian-cross-dressers/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
== Early life and education == Boogie was born in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State but hails from Akwa Ibom state. Boogie was born male but has identified as a girl from a young age.<ref name=":0" /> Boogie attended Methodist Comprehensive High School Port-Harcourt, Rivers State University and Akwa Ibom State University, Uyo.<ref name=":1" /> In 2021, she took to Instagram to share the news of her mother’s passing.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mbuthia |first=Mercy |date=2023-09-08 |title=Jay Boogie’s biography: who is the Nigerian trans influencer? - Legit.ng |url=https://www.legit.ng/ask-legit/biographies/1552593-jay-boogies-biography-nigerian-trans-influencer/ |access-date=2025-11-11 |newspaper=Legit.ng|language=en}}</ref>
== Career == Boogie is being sponsored by Queen Peace Michael''',''' a commercial model and winner of Face of Nigeria. She owns a fashion company Jay Brushes, which sells make-up kits, and JaySecrets, a beauty consultancy company which also offers beauty products. Boogie is also a dancer and has modeled for different brands across Nigeria.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bassey |first=Ekaete |date=2023-06-08 |title=Your soul mate is probably transgender man, Jay Boogie to straight men |url=https://thenationonlineng.net/your-soul-mate-is-probably-transgender-man-jay-boogie-to-straight-men/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|newspaper=The Nation}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Mbuthia |first=Mercy |date=2023-09-08 |title=Jay Boogie's biography: who is the Nigerian trans influencer? |url=https://www.legit.ng/ask-legit/biographies/1552593-jay-boogies-biography-nigerian-trans-influencer/ |access-date=2023-10-11 |newspaper=Legit.ng|language=en}}</ref>
== Controversies == Boogie sought support from Nigerians due to complications arising from her BBL surgery. She appealed for financial assistance, citing health issues including kidney complications and the need for corrective procedures. Her plea led to the creation of a GoFundMe worth $6,000 to cover her medical expenses.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Botched Bum Surgery: Nigerian sets up $6000 GoFundMe for Jay Boogie |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/naija-fashion/642998-botched-bum-surgery-nigerian-sets-up-6000-gofundme-for-transgender-jay-boogie.html |newspaper=Premium Times|date=13 November 2023 |access-date=13 November 2023}}</ref>
However, doubts surfaced when those managing the fundraiser expressed concerns about the authenticity of Jay’s medical claims. They requested verifiable medical reports, but Jay seemed hesitant to provide them, leading to suspicions of potential deception.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Olorunsola |first=Joy Eniola |date=2023-11-21 |title=Jay Boogie helpers withdraw from GoFundMe health support over kidney failure {{!}} |url=https://theeagleonline.com.ng/jay-boogie-helpers-withdraw-from-gofundme-health-support-over-kidney-failure/ |access-date=2024-04-18 |website=The Eagle Online |language=en-GB}}</ref> She received support from Bobrisky, who used her platform to speak out after Nollywood actress Sonia Ogiri criticized Jay Boogie. Bobrisky wrote, “No one deserves to face a life-threatening situation because of their lifestyle choices.”<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ayodele |first=Racheal |date=2023-11-17 |title='No one deserves to die'— Bobrisky defends Jay Boogie |url=https://dailypost.ng/2023/11/17/no-one-deserves-to-die-bobrisky-defends-jay-boogie/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2025-11-11 |newspaper=Daily Post|language=en-US}}</ref>
After the surgery, during an interview Boogie apologized to those who felt misled, asserting that she hadn’t intended to deceive anyone.
Boogie asserted she was doing well post-surgery, revealing that her transition cost her approximately N5 million.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Tgmedia |title=POST #BBL SURGERY: Moment Transgender Jay Boogie Shows Off His Surgically Enhanced Bum After Begging Nigerians For Help [VIDEO] |url=https://www.thegeniusmedia.com.ng/2023/12/05/post-bbl-surgery-moment-transgender-jay-boogie-shows-off-his-surgically-enhanced-bum-after-begging-nigerians-for-help-video/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205214749/https://www.thegeniusmedia.com.ng/2023/12/05/post-bbl-surgery-moment-transgender-jay-boogie-shows-off-his-surgically-enhanced-bum-after-begging-nigerians-for-help-video/ |archive-date=2023-12-05 |access-date=2026-04-10 |website=www.thegeniusmedia.com.ng |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Personal life == In a 2023 interview addressing her gender identity, Boogie shared that she had recognized her feminine identity from a young age. She recalled instances from her childhood, including one day when she wore a bra to school in Primary 4. Regarding her breasts, she attributed their growth to hormones which she had been on for 3 years.<ref name=":2" />
In an interview with BBC Pidgin, Boogie openly affirmed to being proud and fulfilled living in her true and authentic self as a transgender woman in Nigeria. When asked if she is still identified as a male by the mainstream media and society, Boogie responded with a rhetorical question pointing out her feminine physiques. Boogie also stated that the strong hate towards transgender people in Nigeria results in a lot of Nigerians choosing to welcome hardened criminals rather than transgender individuals. She also corrected the misconception people have about her as a gay man pointing out that she is a transgender woman who enjoys the intimacy of only men.<ref name=":0" />
== See also == * {{Annotated link|Abuja Area Mama}} * {{Annotated link|Bobrisky}} * {{Annotated link|Fola Francis}} * {{Annotated link|Miss Sahhara}} * {{Annotated link|Noni Salma}} * {{Annotated link|James Brown (internet personality)}} * {{Annotated link|Veso Golden Oke}}
== References == {{Reflist}}
Category:1998 births Category:Nigerian businesspeople in the entertainment industry Category:Living people Category:Nigerian transgender women Category:21st-century Nigerian LGBTQ people