Uncle Clifford, whose name is Nicco Annan in real life, is an American actor, dancer, and choreographer. He is best known for his portrayal of Uncle Clifford in the American TV series, “P-Valley”. He was acting alongside Brandee Evans, J. Alphonse Nicholson, and Elarica Johnson.
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“P-Valley” is an adaptation of writer Katori Hall’s “Pussy Valley” — a story that follows several people who work at a strip club in the fictional city of Chucalissa, Mississippi. The series aired on Starz. It premiered on July 12, 2020, for its first season and on June 3, 2022, for its second season. It was said to be renewed for Season 3 last October 2022, but there was still no report on when it would come out.
Uncle Clifford, who identifies herself as non-binary, is the owner of The Pynk — a strip club facing financial difficulties. The bar owner not only struggles with keeping the business afloat, he cares about the girls’ welfare as well. Uncle Clifford treats the exotic dancers like a tough-loving den mother.
Distinguished by his eye-catching acrylic nails, a perfectly-coiffed beard, a seemingly huge stash of lace-front wigs, and colorful, bold outfits — Uncle Clifford is the perfect representation of a gender-defying character. He’s the perfect balance of both feminine and masculine.
Nico Annan’s experience as a longtime stage actor and trained choreographer was an edge to the role. He carried the character so well. It was as if Uncle Clifford was made with the actor in mind. However, his effective portrayal of a gay character led fans to wonder about his own sexuality. If you’re among those curious about the actor’s personal life, you’re in luck. In this article, we will address the question: Is Uncle Clifford gay in real life?
VOTE: What is Uncle Clifford’s Sexuality?
Meet Nico Annan, the Actor Behind the Iconic Role
Nico Annan, the actor that plays the role of Uncle Clifford, was born to an African-American mother and a Ghanaian father. Born as Nathaniel Nicco Annan, this 33-year-old actor was raised in Detroit, Michigan.
Because he had always wanted to pursue acting, he studied improvisational theater when he was young. He also studied theater in college at the State University of New York-Purchase, where he received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.
Annan worked as a choreographer after college while performing in theater productions on and off-Broadway. He moved to Los Angeles in 2014 to pursue a career in television acting. He has appeared in several TV shows, such as “Claws,” “Shameless,” “This is Us,” and “Snowfall”.
The actor auditioned for “P-Valley” in 2019, on the recommendation of his writer friend, Dominique Morisseau. So after a dance rehearsal, he went to read a few lines in front of the Pussy Valley creator, Katori Hall. He ended up playing the role of Uncle Clifford, the strip club’s non-binary owner. And the rest, so they say, is history.
She [Katori Hall] had four pages, just a scene and a half. She just wanted to hear how it felt coming through people and how it resonated in a room. She was looking for a person that could embody both masculinity and femininity in one house in an authentic way, without any type of show — just being a living organism. And [Dominique] was like, ‘Oh, well, you might want to think about my friend Nicco.’ So I literally just came over one night after a dance rehearsal to read and it was gone from there.”
Nico Annan shared during an interview with Them
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Uncle Clifford shows the world, the haters and the supporters, that you can say what you want to say about me, you can feel uncomfortable, but I’m gonna be my damn self. She shows all of us a way of walking authentically in the world. Uncle Clifford, she’s fictional, but she’s still so real to so many of us.”
Katori Hall, the creator and writer of Pussy Valley, shared
Nico Annan fits the role so perfectly, there was no doubt about that. It was as if Uncle Clifford’s role was made especially for him. He’s taking the role very seriously, too.
I did not want her to be a joke.”
Annan said, referring to Uncle Clifford’s character
Nico Annan’s Sexuality Defined
“P-Valley” has gained more audience since it started its second season on June 3, 2022. Fans are impressed by Nico Annan’s portrayal of Uncle Clifford’s character. The actor ate the role and left no crumbs.
But along with Nico Annan’s effective portrayal of the non-binary character comes a question — is he gay in real life?
Yes, the 33-year-old actor is gay and he’s very open about his sexuality. He was very happy to have been given the opportunity to represent the LGBTQ community in such an uplifting way.
As a Black man and as a Black gay man, it’s very seldom that I get the opportunity to tell such a rich, lush story that really means something and that I really feel speaks to my community and can uplift us.”
he said in an interview with Essence
He felt like being a Black gay man came to a disadvantage. But being given the opportunity to portray Uncle Clifford has given him the edge to get out of the confinement society had boxed them in.
Being a dark-skinned man, and a man that is gay, I wanted to embrace all of the things that people say are going to hold you back.”
the P-Valley actor told Vanity Fair in another interview
The actor felt like it was a huge privilege to be given the chance to let the audience know Black members of the gay community in a deeper, more intimate sense.
Uncle Clifford was an opportunity, I felt, for people to be able to get to know Black people on the [LGBTQ] spectrum in a more intimate way.”
the actor also told Xtra Magazine
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Is Nico Annan’s Dating Anyone?
Fans of “P-Valley” are very much aware that Uncle Clifford is into J. Alphonse Nicholson’s character in the series — LaMarques (also known as Lil Murda) who is an aspiring rapper. But their pairing is strictly on screen. Nicholson is straight and, in fact, married. He got married in a beautiful Los Angeles wedding to his wife, Nafeesha, in October last year.
And just like Uncle Clifford’s character in the series, Nico Annan is gay in real life, as well. Loud and proud. But who is he dating off screen, though?
As much as his fans were curious about the actor’s love life, there is nothing to tell about that aspect of his personal life. Although Nico Annan is open about his sexuality, we couldn’t find anything about his possible romantic relationship. It’s either he was keeping his relationships private or he was single at the moment and was just giving his all to his booming career.
Is Uncle Clifford Gay In Real Life?
Yes, Nico Annan, the actor who portrayed the character of Uncle Clifford in the popular TV series “P-Valley,” is openly gay in real life. He actually feels genuinely delighted to represent Black gay men in the LGBTQ community through his role. He says he couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to represent Black people in a positive and empowering manner.