Aloma Isaac Junior popularly known as Zicsaloma or ‘Mummy Amazing Grace’ is a comedian and a content creator. He has produced a number of funny skits on Instagram and TikTok, which features a lot of celebrities including, Mercy Johnson, Don jazzy, Mc lively, Mr macaroni, etc. With the recent influx of online comedians and content creators, Zicsaloma shares with Daily Trust Saturday his experience of being a comedian and how he stays afloat.
Weekend Magazine: When did you discover your passion for comedy?
Zicsaloma: I discovered my passion for comedy in 2017 after I made an unplanned selfie video. I left the video on my phone for a while without posting because I really did not think it was funny. I then posted the video and it had a lot of shares on Facebook. People pleaded that I did more parts. The fact that people found it funny and it made people happy, was enough to trigger my passion for comedy.
WM: Is there any story behind the character you play?
Zicsaloma: I play female characters, most times, and that is because I have been around ladies a lot. I unconsciously study their character and traits. For instance, I have always been in the church choir where there are mostly ladies. I also studied English and Literature where we had 90 per cent of ladies. These have influenced my comic characters.
WM: How did the name Zicsaloma come about?
Zicsaloma: The name Zicsaloma came from my name and my surname. Zics was extracted from Isaac while Alome is simply my surname. I merged both names to get my comic name.
WM: How do you come up with your content and ideas?
Zicsaloma: I unconsciously come up with my ideas. Most times, I just see a situation and I just translate it into the content. I only consciously structure the idea when it’s not gotten randomly. At times, it comes to me in a flash. It could even be when I am driving. I basically just stop and write it down so I don’t lose the idea. I also get ideas from friends and family too. So content can always come in different ways.
WM: Have you ever considered a live comedy, performing without a script?
Zicsaloma: I have actually done live comedy several times even though it’s not really my thing. I have been invited to churches and events to perform live and it was not bad at all, so I already do live performances. I have gone to events as a guest and have been spontaneously called on to give jokes. At that point, I have to come up with something.
WM: How does it feel having to play the role of a woman?
Zicsaloma: It felt weird at first, but I think I feel more comfortable playing female roles than male roles now because my audience seems to prefer the female roles. Repetition of female roles has made me very comfortable playing it.
WM: Who are the few comedians that inspire you?
Zicsaloma: One of the comedians that inspire me is Brodashaggy. That’s because he is very hardworking; I get inspired whenever I feel relaxed, knowing that I see him shoot continuously. Another person that really inspired me and still inspires me is Mercy Johnson Okojie. I have watched almost all of her movies. Her acting skills are out of this world.
WM: What did you charge for your first paid skit?
Zicsaloma: I charged N5,000 for my first paid skit. When a fellow comedian friend heard it, he could not stop laughing at me. I actually did not understand how people charge for paid ads, so I was a bit naive. And then, I wasn’t a full-time comedian.
WM: How much is Zicsaloma worth now?
Zicsaloma: How much I am worth? I am not sure about that because I have not done the maths but I am worth something tangible.
WM: How do you handle negative reviews?
Zicsaloma: I understood what some popular celebrities go through with negative comments, so I was prepared for it. I do not think I have ever replied to negative comments on my post. At most, I restrict the person. I try not to make negative comments get to me so long I know what I am doing is not wrong and it makes many other people happy.
WM: Which of your projects do you consider yourself a big fan of?
Zicsaloma: I think it is the TV series I play a major role in now. I am working on my cinema movie and it is a movie to watch out for because it is featuring the best actors in the industry. It would be mind-blowing.
WM: Asides from content creating, what other businesses are you willing to explore?
Zicsaloma: I am already in real estate and I have always been passionate about setting up a school. I am presently setting up a school to be managed by my mum. As time goes on, I would explore more areas.
WM: Who would you like to co-star with?
Zicsaloma: I had Mercy Johnson at the top of my wish list and my wish has actually come to pass and I also hope we keep working together. I have also had the opportunity to work with Omotola and Funke Akindele. These are people I have always dreamt of working with, and here we are today. I hope to work with even more top Nollywood stars.
