This is Nigerian Fashion blogger, actor, media consultant and many other nomenclature, Denola Adetupun , popularly known as Denola Grey.
Denola has been shaking a lot of tables since we first came across him in 2013. The bold, quirky and eccentric Nigerian OAP is not your ordinary male icon and he is constantly finding new ways of challenging societal stereotypes as well as toxic masculinity whiles staying true to who he is.
Once again he’s flipped another gender script and we have decided to stan so hard.
Here’s the full gist
Over the weekend one of his besties, Bidemi Zakariyau Akande and the love of her life, Chief Akande decided to tie the proverbial knot and guess who was asked to join the bridal team as bride’s man, the bodacious Denola. (Goals right??). And boy did he slay.
Accompanying the other bridesmaids, the fashion consultant was debonair in an all-white tuxedo from Rhobes Official and gold tassel loafers from David Wej.
Sharing the post on his Instagram where he has amassed a healthy following of style enthusiasts, Denola shared a photo of himself with the caption;
“Bridesman duties 😊! My girl @bidemizakariyau is getting married to her love @chief_akandeand I couldn’t be any happier for this union.
♥️🥂🙏🏾. 📸: @acupofmikey .
👔: @rhobesofficial .
👞: @davidwej”
After 48 hours of sharing the photo of this unprecedented act, it has over 11k likes with several comments congratulating him for his bravery and panache. One follower commented:
“This is absolutely incredible. We definitely need more gender blurred lines in wedding duties ❤️ “
Until recently, it was quite unusual to see a female friend joining the groom’s party or a male friend in the bride’s party but the likes of Denola are changing the status quo.
Adeteupun has been a vocal advocate for women’s empowerment and challenging toxic masculinity and societal stereotypes in the media.
During Women’s month this year, he admitted in a post that he was teased for having a close connection to women and sometimes referred to as a ‘woman wrapper’, however it didn’t worry him.
“My entire life, I have always found it easier to connect with women. Often times I got teased for it or got called ‘woman-wrapper’ etc. But I didn’t care and I still don’t.” he wrote in March.
By this singular act, Denola has added a new word to our lexicon, Bridesman and we can wait to see other bride’s men go hard for their girls.
Congratulations to the couple. May God bless this union!!!
Credit: https://www.instagram.com/DenolaGrey