Actress and media personality Ariyike Owolagba, popularly known as Ariyiike Dimples, has opened up about a deeply personal experience that led her to stop attending her community church for three years. In a candid discussion on the Open Up podcast, she recounted the series of events that made her feel alienated and judged by members of her congregation, despite her continued faith in Christianity.
According to Ariyiike, the incident that triggered her decision occurred when an older woman in her church confronted her over her choice of outfit, a modest pencil skirt, and condemned her publicly for wearing it. She explained that this encounter left her feeling unfairly scrutinized and singled out, particularly because the church community was predominantly composed of elderly members who often imposed strict doctrinal expectations on younger attendees.
Ariyiike reflected on the broader atmosphere of her church community, noting that the experience was not an isolated incident. “In my community church, na only elderly people full there. Young people don commot go other churches,” she stated. “Yes, you can have your doctrines, but there’s a way to talk to young people without condemning them.” She emphasized that the judgmental attitude and rigid approach towards younger members created a sense of discomfort and exclusion, making it difficult for her to feel welcome within that environment.
The situation further escalated when the woman who confronted her reported the matter to Ariyiike’s father. Feeling the pressure of communal scrutiny, she even had to send a photograph of the outfit to her mother to demonstrate that her attire was appropriate and modest. Despite these efforts, the rigid adherence to communal expectations and the fear of ongoing conflict led Ariyiike to make the difficult decision to avoid the church entirely.
“My dad believed in the idea of community raising a child, so I just avoided the community church completely,” she said, highlighting that her choice was largely influenced by her father’s belief in collective responsibility and discipline within the community. Ariyiike wanted to prevent further confrontation and protect herself from being unfairly judged or disciplined in public.
Ariyiike maintains upholding her Christian faith
Despite her withdrawal from the congregation, Ariyiike stressed that she never abandoned her Christian faith. She clarified that her decision to distance herself was specific to that particular church community and did not reflect a loss of faith or commitment to her beliefs. Instead, it was a personal step to preserve her mental and emotional well-being while maintaining her spirituality.
Ariyiike’s story has sparked broader conversations about generational differences within religious communities and the importance of creating inclusive spaces that respect the individuality of younger members while upholding faith-based values. Her candid reflection highlights the challenges many young people face in navigating traditional religious settings and emphasizes the need for empathy, understanding, and respectful communication across age groups.