Omotayo Adigun
Ijeoma Josephine Otabor, widely known as Phyna, the winner of Big Brother Naija season 7, was recently denied entry to a restaurant in Lagos due to her attire. The incident occurred at Cali Restaurant, and Phyna shared her experience on her X (formerly Twitter) page, expressing her surprise at the establishment’s decision.
Phyna‘s social media post included a short video clip showcasing the outfit in question, which reports describe as a revealing black jumpsuit, paired with a burgundy afro wig. Her post ignited a debate among her fans and followers, with reactions ranging from criticism of her clothing choice to support for the restaurant’s right to enforce a dress code.
Some commenters on social media criticized Phyna’s outfit. One user stated, “If you wear a hookers uniform, be prepared to be treated like one,” while another supported the restaurant, saying, “The owner has every right to set rules for their business premises.” Another user suggested this could be a positive step towards correcting societal norms, writing, “If all these restaurants will start doing this, it will definitely be a big step to correcting this error in the society.”
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The incident at Cali Restaurant adds to recent news surrounding Phyna. It comes after she publicly disowned her family and dropped her surname, Otabor, on her X page. Phyna’s social media outburst detailed her experiences of being moved between various relatives’ homes during her childhood, leading her to express feelings of betrayal. These statements were made about a year after her father, Felix Otabor, claimed in an interview that Phyna had not returned home since winning Big Brother Naija.
The restaurant incident has sparked a wider conversation about dress codes, personal expression, and the balance between individuality and adherence to social norms, particularly for public figures.