Whats on Bimbo Ademoye 'Rolake" Character ARMPITS ?

 Bimbo Ademoye's character Arolake (sometimes mistakenly called "Rolake") in Aníkúlápó, the dark or hairy appearance in her armpits was not real.

Bimbo Ademoye revealed in interviews that the production team applied makeup hair (prosthetic hair) to her armpits to make the character appear more authentic to the historical setting. She described it as one of the most uncomfortable parts of filming.

She said:

 "The part where I had makeup hair on my armpit... it was not funny. I tried to create comic relief from it as a character, but it was annoying. The makeup hair on my armpit was a big challenge and I felt uncomfortable." 

The decision was part of the film's period styling, reflecting how body grooming practices differed in the era depicted in Aníkúlápó. The prosthetic hair was applied and removed during filming along with other makeup elements, contributing to the film's historical realism. 

One of the most unexpected talking points from Aníkúlápó wasn't just the romance, betrayal, or mythology—it was Arolake's armpits.

As viewers revisited scenes featuring Bimbo Ademoye's royal character, many took to social media asking the same question: "Was that real?"

The answer is no. The appearance was created using prosthetic makeup hair, deliberately applied by the film's makeup department to make Arolake's look more authentic to the historical period in which the story is set.

In interviews promoting Aníkúlápó: Rise of the Spectre, Bimbo admitted that wearing the artificial hair was one of the most uncomfortable aspects of filming.

«"The makeup hair on my armpit was a big challenge. I felt uncomfortable."»

She explained that although audiences focused on the visual detail, they didn't see the lengthy preparation involved. The prosthetic hair had to be carefully attached before filming and removed afterward, making it one of the more demanding elements of her transformation into the character.

The creative decision wasn't made for shock value. Director Kunle Afolayan is known for paying close attention to historical accuracy, from costumes and hairstyles to body adornment and grooming. Since Aníkúlápó is set in pre-colonial Yorubaland, the production team aimed to avoid modern beauty standards that could break the illusion of the period.

Rather than presenting polished, contemporary versions of historical figures, the filmmakers sought to portray characters in a way that felt believable within their cultural and historical context. Details such as natural hairstyles, traditional fabrics, minimal cosmetics, and body hair all contributed to that immersive world-building.

Ironically, the tiny costume detail became one of the film's biggest conversation starters online. Some viewers praised the commitment to authenticity, while others admitted it caught them by surprise. The discussion highlighted how even the smallest production choices can shape audience reactions and spark curiosity long after a film's release.

For Bimbo Ademoye, however, the focus remained on delivering a convincing performance. Despite the discomfort of the prosthetics, she embraced the challenge, helping bring Arolake to life in a way that felt authentic, emotionally compelling, and true to the film's historical vision.

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