Entertainment Gists
I Told My Best Friend I’m Transgender, 11 Years Later We’re Married – Transgender Man Shares His Love Story
A transgender man, Jamie Raines has revealed how he ended up getting married to his female best friend.
According to Jamie he held a party when he was 17 and told his best friend known as a Shaaba that he wanted to be more than friends with her.
According to Jamie, she walked out on him, but they are married now he has fully transitioned to a man.
Read the story below
“Most people have awkward teen memories that make them cringe, and I bet many involve a crush.
When I was 17, I hosted a Halloween party. Turns out it only takes two Smirnoff Ice alcopops to let your best friend know you like them as more than a friend.” Jamie said in his book ‘The T in LGBT’ being serialized by Metro UK.
I thought I was being subtle about it, but apparently not.
I didn’t outright admit my feelings, just dropped several hints that made them clear. I didn’t realise the blinding obviousness because I didn’t get rejection or reciprocation that night (plus the Smirnoff Ice probably didn’t help).”
Cue a restless night of cringing in embarrassment and questioning every life decision. When I walked into college the next day, Shaaba was already there.She looked at me, I looked at her, then she bolted out of the door.
Raines added;
Playing it back in my mind now, I almost see her as a comic-style blur, leaving a dust cloud and flying paper in her trail.When I finally caught up to her, the reason for her flight wasn’t too shocking.
See, it wasn’t that her feelings weren’t reciprocated – Shaaba told me she felt it too – which I was very relived and happy to hear. In fact, we agreed later that day to tentatively start ‘dating’ and see where things could go.
But there was a big fear of how her family would react if we were in a relationship, because when we first met, I hadn’t been ‘Jamie’.
It was in art class about a year earlier, and we have different accounts of how this went – but my first impression wasn’t great from Shaaba’s perspective.She remembers my friends and I not saying hello back, but all I remember was a shy, pretty, new girl who was drawing a guitar.
It was only by chance that we met again through a mutual friend, and after that, we spent a lot of time together.
One afternoon, the oven broke at Shaaba’s house and she brought over what felt like a hundred mini quiches to cook. We spoke for hours that day and quickly became best friends.Later that year and totally unrelatedly, I came across a word while watching TV that changed my life: transgender. I was living as a girl, and that word made me realise I didn’t have to feel this uncomfortable forever.
I gradually came out to family and friends over summer. Coming out is almost guaranteed to make you feel stomach-churningly nervous, but some people are scarier to come out to than others.
For me, that person was Shaaba. Of all my friends, she was the person I was most worried about losing.
It had to happen at some point though, so I invited her over ‘for a chat’ – not the most inconspicuous invite. I asked her if she knew what the acronym ‘LGBT’ meant and got a pretty confident ‘yes’ in return.So when I proceeded to announce myself as ‘the T in LGBT’, I didn’t know how to interpret the blank look staring back at me. Did she accept me? Was she processing the information? Nope.
Shaaba sheepishly admitted she didn’t know what the ‘T’ stood for specifically, and I ended up explaining it all. All my fears immediately dissipated as the blank look was replaced with understanding, and then acceptance.
Since that chat 12 years ago, Shaaba has supported me through every step of my transition journey.
People viewed our friendship differently when we went back to college. In the heteronormative world of teenagers back then, the closeness we had could only be seen as romance; rumours spread.
Hugs were read differently now that ‘Jamie’s a boy’ and we became more conscious about how we interacted. There was an undercurrent of feelings growing there, but neither of us spoke about it – well, not until that Halloween party.
After the day we ran around college, we walked home together and talked about what a relationship could mean. Shaaba wasn’t allowed to be friends with boys – let alone date – and that’s not even thinking about me being trans. We both felt this was something worth exploring though.
Shaaba told her family I was trans and had a new name and pronouns, as she didn’t want to misgender me. As a result, we were no longer allowed to be friends.
We could only see each other at college and walking home together, parting ways before we got too close to her house.
As our relationship grew closer, Shaaba’s relationship with her family fell apart for several years. Her mum read a bit of a mushy text I’d sent her for New Year’s Day, which led to a long journey of arguing, disowning, but ultimately understanding and acceptance.
It took around seven years, but we’re in such a great place with Shaaba’s mum now, she even helped us plan our wedding last year.Shaaba and I are looking forward to starting a family together soon. We’re going strong together – and with each other’s families.
It’s been quite the journey of friendship, coming out, learning from all parts, and marriage, and it’s a journey I’m so grateful to have gone on together.
I do still cringe a bit thinking back to that Halloween party, but despite the difficult times, our relationship is the best thing that’s happened to me and I couldn’t imagine a life without Shaaba.” He concluded.
RUAN-Badkid.96 is a Nigerian recording artist whose music refuses to live inside a single genre. Blending Afrobeat, Afrofusion, trap, hip-hop, melodic rap, R&B, and global influences, he creates records that move effortlessly between raw street energy, soulful storytelling, and infectious melodies. Whether delivering hard-hitting bars, emotional love songs, or rhythm-driven African records, his sound is defined by authenticity rather than limitation.
Inspired by both African culture and international music, RUAN-Badkid.96 embraces the confidence and ambition of global hip-hop while staying deeply connected to his roots. His lyrics explore love, heartbreak, betrayal, friendship, social injustice, hope, and the everyday realities of life. He doesn’t create music to follow trends, he creates music to reflect truth, emotion, and human experience.
Behind his fearless image is an artist who believes in kindness, equality, justice, and genuine human connection. His appearance may be intimidating, but his message is rooted in compassion and authenticity. Every record carries a piece of his journey, proving that strength and vulnerability can exist in the same voice.
For RUAN-Badkid.96, music is more than entertainment, it’s a language, a testimony, and a lifelong mission to connect with people through honesty, versatility, and unforgettable sound.
Entertainment Gists
Meet the Man Who Turned Hype Into a Science: Emmy Blaq, Nigeria’s G.O.A.T. of Hype
If you have ever been at a Nigerian event and found yourself on your feet before the main act even stepped on stage, there is a good chance a hype man was responsible. But not just any hype man. Emmy Blaq, born Ikechukwu Emmanuel Chima and raised in Auchi, Edo State, has spent the last few years quietly becoming the most talked-about name in that profession, and the Nigerian press has taken notice. Punch, Vanguard, The Guardian Nigeria, The Nation, and Independent Newspaper have all sat down with him, and every conversation leads back to the same thing: this man does not just make noise; he makes moments.
What makes Emmy Blaq different is the journey behind the energy. Before the stages, the collaborations with Waje on her “Waje 2.0” album, DJ Consequence, and DJ Kaywise on the massively streamed “Joor Party Mix” series, he was repairing generators, cutting hair, and sewing clothes in Auchi. His first professional hype gig happened at a local fast food spot called Valchi, and the crowd response that night changed everything. He told The Nation directly: “My passion for entertainment and desire to make people happy led me into the craft.” Punch also captured his bigger mission when he said that hype men deserve more than what they currently earn, a statement that sparked a real conversation across Nigerian entertainment circles.
With over 1.7 million TikTok followers, 23.6 million TikTok likes, a viral “Wife Material” challenge that landed on Pulse Nigeria’s top ten social media moments of 2021, and an international performance at the Cameroon International Music Festival that Cameroonian media described as electrifying, Emmy Blaq is not building toward something. He is already there. The G.O.A.T. of Hype is not a title he gave himself and hoped would stick. It is one the rooms keep confirming every single time he grabs the mic.
MANAGER PROFILE
Uncle Wisdom is a Lagos-based music executive and visionary leader known for blending structure, strategy, and creativity in artist management. With a background in Mathematics and Statistics from UNICROSS formerly, Cross River University Of Technology. He brings analytical precision into talent development, positioning artists for both creative excellence and commercial success.
CAREER JOURNEY
Began his career in 2017 as an event coordinator for Eksu Olofofo, where he gained foundational experience in live events and audience engagement. By 2018, he transitioned into full-time artist management, driven by a clear goal to build a more structured and results-oriented system within the music industry.
In 2019, Started working as a road manager for Barry Jhay, gaining hands-on experience in touring, logistics, and artist operations, a refined career and mental awareness coach . He was also instrumental behind Barry Jhay’s 2025 sold-out homecoming concert, a key moment that fueled momentum for a successful UK tour, including sold-out shows in London and Birmingham.
PHLOX MGMT
Founded from the ground up, Phlox Mgmt is a forward-thinking management company focused on Career coaching, A&R, artist development, and strategic positioning. The company is built on a clear philosophy:
Develop the sound. Define the brand. Position the artist to win.
Phlox Mgmt has connections with @Roadgod_of Roadgod Agency and connects artists with top-tier producers, engineers, and creatives, ensuring a refined sound and strong market presence. The company continues to grow as a trusted platform for emerging and established talent.
INDUSTRY NETWORK & COLLABORATIONS
Uncle Wisdom has built valuable relationships across the industry, working with and alongside talents such as:
Barry Jhay • Asake • Ceeza Milli • Berri Tiga • Laime • Spellz • and many others
LEADERSHIP APPROACH
John Wisdom operates with a long-term vision, focusing on structure, consistency, and execution. His approach goes beyond traditional management he builds systems around artists that support sustainable growth, strong branding, and global competitiveness.
CONTACT & SOCIALS
Instagram & X: @Johnwisdm @phlox_mgmt
TikTok: @unclewisdom7
Email: phloxentertainment@gmail.com
Phone: 08038448478 | 09015668027
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