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USA | Jan 3, 2022

‘I am an artiste, not a variant’: Omarion is tired of the Omicron jokes

Gavin Riley

Gavin Riley / Our Today

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American R&B star Omarion. (Photo: TikTok @omarion)

Since identifying the Omicron variant, which has caused global numbers of the coronavirus (COVID-19) to spike, social media users have offhandedly referred to it as the “Omarion” variant.

But it seems the joke has waned for the 37-year-old American R&B singer, who is now lamenting his name being confused with the latest strain of the virus, to the point he is scorned while out in public.

Omarion, in a hilarious video that has gone viral on TikTok, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, urged calm and sought to set the record straight. 

“Hi everybody, this is Omarion. I am an artiste, not a variant! So please be aware if you just so happen to run into me on the street, you don’t have to isolate for five days nor do you have to have a negative test result to dance to my music,” he said on TikTok, adding, “So please, be safe. Be healthy and Happy New Year!”

In the Instagram version of his ‘public service announcement’, the Post To Be hitmaker explained that he created the video on the advice of his legal team after being the recipient of many disrespectful direct messages (DMs).

“I know there has been a lot of confusion online recently, so my lawyers asked me to read this: ‘I, Omarion, am a musician and entertainer…’ you knew that, ‘…not a variant’. The last time I had to do this was in 2000 when everyone confused Y2K with B2K,” he began.

“That ain’t how it’s s’pose to be, haha! No, but seriously, I want to wish y’all a happy and safe new year. Peace,” Omarion added.

Started by Black Americans on Twitter as a way of comedic relief from the relentless pandemic coverage, the “Omarion” variant has stuck with the artiste and viral mutation being used interchangeably across social media platforms.

Watch the video below:

(Video: TikTok @omarion)

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