Why I Walked Away From Church — Actress Ariyiike Dimples Opens Up

Why I Walked Away From Church — Actress Ariyiike Dimples Opens Up

Nigerian actress and media personality, Ariyike Owolagba, widely known as Ariyiike Dimples, has opened up on why she stopped attending church for three years, citing harsh judgment over her dressing.

Speaking on a recent episode of the Open Up podcast, the actress said she became frustrated after a church elder confronted her and declared she would “go to hell” for wearing a pencil skirt to church—an outfit the elder deemed indecent.

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According to her, the incident left her feeling unfairly judged, prompting her to withdraw from the community church.

“In my community church, you see only elderly people. You barely see the young ones. It was too serious. You can have your doctrines, but there’s a way to simplify it for young people without judging them,” she said.

Ariyiike explained that the confrontation escalated when the elderly woman reported her to her father. To defend herself, she shared a picture of the skirt with her mother, insisting it was not inappropriate. She said her father’s belief in communal upbringing made her avoid the church entirely to prevent further conflict.

Despite the experience, the actress emphasized that she remains a practicing Christian, noting that her decision to leave the church was about the environment—not her faith.

 

Why I Walked Away From Church — Actress Ariyiike Dimples Opens Up