Just 6 photos of Sauti Sol’s Chimano being super extra
For years, as boyband Sauti Sol began making waves across the world, one member of band in particular stood out. Not only for his sultry baritone singing, but for his mannerisms and his fashion choices that were very different from those of his three bandmates.
I’m talking about Willis Austin Chimano. Check him out below in the series of photos depicting him as being extra as I tell you a story about his public life.
For years, he flew under the radar not commenting on speculations about his sexuality when it became clear he was more in touch with his feminine side than was expected of the average man. This could be seen in his dressing, his poses during photo sessions and his mannerisms.
In August 2020, Chimano unofficially introduced his Caucasian boyfriend to the world in an uncaptioned photo of all Sauti Sol members with their significant others. Not one to stick to kienyeji – probably because homosexuality is frowned upon and illegal in Kenya – Chimano courted scorn and admiration in equal amounts with that photo.
In December 2021, Chimano finally officially came out of the closet and identified as a member of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer plus (lgbtq+) community. This revelation came after the boyband went on a break to work on solo projects- Chimano’s project was heavily based on the lgbtq+ community.
He was quoted in local media saying he no longer wanted to live a lie and wanted to be a true representation of who he is.
“It is the first time I am expressing myself in a song. You really get to know who Chimano is and that is a heavy crown to carry. It is just a representation of the underground ballroom culture within the queer community… which I am part of,” he said.
He became an active advocate of the queer community in Kenya, using his celebhood to advocate for the rights of lgbtq+ members in Kenya- especially after Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha frowned upon members of this community being students in boarding schools instead of being in day schools near their homes to live their lives.