Actress and media personality Ariyiike Owolagba, widely known as Ariyiike Dimples, has recounted the incident that made her stop attending her community church for three years.
Speaking on the Open Up podcast, she revealed that an elderly woman confronted her over her choice of clothing, warning that she would “go to hell” for wearing a pencil skirt to church. She said the judgment felt harsh and unwarranted, leaving her shocked and deeply embarrassed.
According to Ariyiike, the criticism pushed her to withdraw completely, especially since the church environment was already unwelcoming to young people. She noted that the congregation consisted mostly of older members, and many youths had already moved to other churches where they felt more accepted.
Despite stepping away from her community church, Ariyiike stressed that she remains a committed Christian and now chooses to worship in places where young people are embraced without condemnation.
She added that the woman eventually reported her to her father, prompting her to send a photo of the skirt to her mother to prove she was not dressed indecently. To avoid further tension, she decided to stop attending the church altogether.
Ariyiike’s experience adds to ongoing conversations around judgment, inclusivity, and how churches can better create welcoming spaces for young believers.