Phyna Denied Entry to BBNaija Winner Imisi’s Birthday Party Over Livestreaming Dispute
Reality television personality and social media influencer Josephina Otabor, popularly known as Phyna, has sparked widespread online debate after she was reportedly denied entry into the birthday celebration of Big Brother Naija Season 10 winner, Imisi. The incident occurred on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, and has since gained significant traction on social media following the circulation of a video showing Phyna visibly upset outside the event venue.
According to reports by Eyes of Lagos, Phyna was stopped at the entrance of the party by event security personnel after she declined to discontinue a live video broadcast she was streaming for her followers. In the video, the former BBNaija winner is seen questioning the decision and expressing dissatisfaction with what she perceived as an unnecessary restriction.
Phyna explained that organisers informed her that filming and livestreaming were not permitted inside the venue and requested that she put away her recording device before being allowed access. She reportedly challenged the directive, arguing that it was unfair and questioning whether the same rule would have been applied to other well-known online personalities.
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In the footage, Phyna, who refers to herself as the “Hype Queen,” raised concerns about what she described as selective enforcement. She questioned whether popular internet figures such as iShowSpeed or Peller would have been subjected to similar restrictions, implying that her treatment reflected unequal standards at the event.
Security officials, however, maintained that the no-filming rule applied to all guests without exception. They insisted that the directive was part of the event’s security and privacy arrangements, a stance that ultimately led to Phyna being denied entry when she refused to comply.
Reacting to the situation, Phyna expressed disappointment and embarrassment, stating that her intention was not to disrupt the celebration but to show support for Imisi on her special day. She emphasized that the livestream was meant to engage her fans and share the moment, not to undermine the organisers’ authority or the celebrant’s wishes.
The incident has since generated divided reactions across social media platforms. While some users criticised the event organisers for what they viewed as unfair or heavy-handed treatment of a fellow public figure, others defended the decision, arguing that private events have the right to enforce strict rules regardless of a guest’s celebrity status.
Several commentators pointed out that consent and privacy are increasingly sensitive issues at social gatherings, particularly where high-profile individuals are involved. Others noted that livestreaming without explicit permission could expose guests and organisers to unwanted attention or security concerns.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Imisi nor representatives of the event organisers have issued an official statement addressing the controversy. The absence of a formal response has not slowed online discussions, with the incident continuing to fuel conversations around celebrity entitlement, respect for boundaries, and the evolving dynamics between influencers and private events.
The episode highlights the growing tension between digital content creation and traditional event protocols, especially in an era where social media presence often blurs the line between private celebrations and public spectacles.