Comedian YY (Oliver Otieno) sat down with Alex Mwakideu on AM TV for a candid, emotional conversation about love, loss, and the hard lessons that come after heartbreak.
YY, best known for his witty sketches and quick comebacks on stage, traded punchlines for vulnerability, opening up about his split from partner Noela Toywa, his views on forgiveness, and the quiet strength it takes for a man to seek closure.
On His Breakup with Noela
YY confirmed that he and Noela had indeed gone their separate ways, describing the split simply as “life happening.” In his characteristic calm tone, he told Mwakideu:
“We separated, just like how people separate. It’s life.”
Pressed to share more details, the comedian avoided blame or speculation, saying he preferred to keep private matters off public platforms. Instead, he turned the focus to the idea of peace — both for himself and his former partner.
“Noela knows why the relationship ended,” he said. “There’s nothing to expose or explain. I just want everyone to be at peace.”
That peace, YY revealed, didn’t come overnight. He had to confront uncomfortable emotions, pride among them, to reach a place of acceptance.
Forgiving His Ex — and Himself
The heart of the conversation revolved around forgiveness. The comedian explained that the interview’s title wasn’t just about his former partner — it was about a broader lesson in letting go.
“Forgiving my ex was easy,” he said. “The harder part was forgiving myself — for what I could have done better, or where I fell short.”
He acknowledged that forgiveness had become a personal philosophy since the breakup, one that helps him maintain emotional balance while navigating the pressures of fame.
“Holding onto anger doesn’t help anyone,” he told Mwakideu. “It keeps you stuck in the past, and I don’t want to live there.”
Asking His Father-in-Law for Forgiveness
Perhaps the most surprising revelation came when YY disclosed that he reached out to Noela’s father to apologise after the breakup.
“I even called my ex’s father to ask for forgiveness,” he shared. “I told him, ‘Mzee, if I wronged you or your daughter in any way, please forgive me.’”
He emphasised that it wasn’t a plea to reconcile, but an act of humility and peace-making.
“It’s not weakness. Sometimes as a man, you have to own your part and clear your heart.”
Mwakideu, visibly moved, responded by noting that many men struggle with that level of vulnerability. YY agreed, saying pride often keeps people — especially public figures — from making peace when relationships end.
Lessons from Past Relationships
Beyond the breakup, YY touched on his past relationships, admitting that he’s had ‘a few’ that didn’t last but taught him valuable lessons.
“Every relationship teaches you something — about yourself and about people,” he said.
He reflected on trust and communication as recurring challenges, confessing that his career and public persona sometimes created misunderstandings with partners.
Still, he said he holds no bitterness toward anyone he’s dated.
“I have no hard feelings. Everyone I’ve been with has shaped who I am today.”
Comedy as Healing
As the conversation lightened, YY revealed how he channels personal experiences — including heartbreak — into his art. He joked that even pain can be funny “once you survive it.”
“Most of my jokes come from real situations,” he laughed. “Comedy is how I heal. You cry once, then you make people laugh about it forever.”
The sentiment summed up the essence of his interview — a man using humour to process his humanity.
A New Chapter
By the end of the show, he spoke of focusing on his daughter, deepening his craft, and surrounding himself with peace.
“Where I am now, I’m grateful,” he said. “I’ve learned that peace is more important than being right.”