Afrobeats star Omah Lay has revisited one of his most talked-about moments on stage, offering fresh perspective on the viral concert incident that sparked a breakup and widespread online debate.
In a recent interview with FADER, the singer addressed the controversy surrounding his February 2024 London concert, where he invited a female fan on stage for a suggestive dance performance to his hit song “Bend You.” The moment quickly went viral after it was revealed that the woman’s boyfriend was present in the crowd.
Rather than expressing sympathy, Omah Lay admitted he was frustrated by the boyfriend’s reaction, suggesting he should have embraced the moment instead of taking offence.
He said:
“I was pissed. I was pissed at the guy for a minute. This is a girl who had a chance to be on stage with one of her favorite artists. This is a life-changing opportunity. If I were him, I’d be recording it and being happy for my girl,”
Omah Lay addressed the viral video dancing with a fan on stage that led to a break up with her and her boyfriend”
“This is a life-changing opportunity. If I were him, I’d be recording it and being happy for my girl. She’s coming back to you after the song is over! It’s art. It’s… pic.twitter.com/i30MQ8LfIk
— The FADER (@thefader) April 7, 2026
The singer maintained that the performance was purely artistic and brief, insisting the situation was blown out of proportion by the boyfriend’s response.
“She’s coming back to you after the song is over! It’s art. It’s one minute max. Why don’t you just enjoy it? But he was acting like a victim, like somebody ‘took his girl.’ That just shows that you guys don’t have anything concrete. I was disappointed in the guy. Like, bro, what are you doing? We’re just dancing in front of 10,000 people. It’s art. Why are you dying over that feeling like a victim?”
🚨 Omah Lay speaking about the song “Julia” off his new album (Via Interview with FADER) 🗣️
— Me? I’m a genius. Those are the things I felt uncomfortable accepting for the longest time. “Julia” is an old sound. Remember when I came out and said somebody stole the idea for my… pic.twitter.com/6sFlYwgAlo
— 𝗔𝗟𝗕𝗨𝗠 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗦 📀 (@AlbumTalksHQ) April 7, 2026
The incident had drawn heavy attention online at the time, with many sympathising with the boyfriend who became the subject of public ridicule. Omah Lay’s latest comments have once again stirred mixed reactions, with some critics describing his stance as insensitive.
Beyond the viral moment, the Port Harcourt-born artist also opened up about challenges within the music industry. He revealed that a fellow Afrobeats act once took inspiration from his sound in a way that forced him to rethink and rebuild an entire project.
“Stuff like that can put people in a bad mental state where they are unable to ‘come back alive.’ You spend so much time figuring out a new sound, you share it with a friend for a collaboration, and they twist it in such a genius way that you can’t even go back and say, “Yo, this is my sh*t.'”
His revelations add another layer to ongoing conversations about creativity, ownership, and emotional resilience in the music industry, as fans continue to dissect both his artistic choices and outspoken opinions.
Omah Lay reflects on having his album “stolen”:
“Stuff like that can put people in a bad mental state where they are unable to ‘come back alive.’
You spend so much time figuring out a new sound, you share it with a friend for a collaboration, and they twist it in such a genius… pic.twitter.com/a85d3UIz3c
— The FADER (@thefader) April 7, 2026