Nigerian comedian Oluwadolarz says false assumptions about his stage name have cost him brand deals and damaged his public image and career reputation.
In a recent episode of the Open Up podcast, the popular content creator revealed that many people, including top brands, have misunderstood him simply because of his name. These misconceptions, he said, have led to missed opportunities and unfair judgments.
How it all started: A joke that stuck
The name “Oluwadolarz” didn’t come out of nowhere. It actually began as a harmless joke.
Back in 2010, when Olamide Ogunleye was still a stand-up comedian, he cracked a joke about the rise and fall of the U.S. dollar. That joke made an impression. From then on, people started calling him “Dolarz.”
“People forgot my real name because they remembered the joke,” he said.
A few years later, around 2014, he started replying to people who called him Dolarz by saying, “Oluwa is involved.” That phrase caught on, and soon enough, his full stage name became Oluwadolarz.
The unwanted consequences of a name
While the name was meant to be fun and catchy, it brought unexpected problems. In Nigeria, the word “dollar” is often linked to internet fraud, especially when used by young men on social media.
As a result, some people began to assume he was involved in shady activities. This false image began to spread.
“Because of the name, a lot of people thought I was a Yahoo boy or a bad guy,” he said.
He made it clear during the podcast that this assumption is completely false. He has never been involved in any kind of fraud or illegal activity.
Losing brand deals because of misunderstanding
Unfortunately, the misunderstanding didn’t just affect his reputation—it affected his income too.
Oluwadolarz explained that several brands have turned down collaborations with him because they fear negative public perception.
“Some brands don’t want to associate with me. They think I’m a Yahoo boy using comedy as a cover-up,” he said.
For a content creator whose livelihood depends on partnerships and visibility, this has been a serious setback. Despite his talent and growing fan base, he says he often gets passed over because of a name he picked more than a decade ago.
Public drama: Relationship trouble adds to pressure
Aside from his struggles with public image, Oluwadolarz has also been in the news for personal reasons.
His fiancée and the mother of his child, Ifeluv, recently announced their breakup. She accused him of cheating and not supporting her financially. The announcement caused a stir on social media and added to the negative attention surrounding him.
While Oluwadolarz has not publicly responded to all the allegations, his focus during the podcast interview remained on his career and how he is often misunderstood.
Setting the record straight
In the podcast, Oluwadolarz called for fairness and better understanding.
“The name is just a name. It doesn’t define who I am,” he said.
He urged people to look beyond his stage name and see the hardworking comedian behind it. He emphasized that he built his brand through dedication, creativity, and years of effort—not shortcuts or fraud.
Moving forward with focus and positivity
Despite the challenges, Oluwadolarz remains committed to his craft. He continues to entertain millions online with his relatable comedy skits.
While the past has not been easy, he’s hopeful that people—and brands—will start to understand his true story.
“I’m not asking for pity. I just want people to get the full picture,” he said.
With his talent and determination, Oluwadolarz is pushing forward—one joke at a time.
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