Published: May 6, 2026 Last Updated 37 minutes ago by Esther Ejoh
The Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) have become more than a celebration of cinematic excellence. Since 2013, this annual event has established itself as the premier night in African entertainment, attracting leading figures from Nollywood, Ghallywood, and beyond. In recent years, the AMVCA has also emerged as Africa’s most closely watched fashion runway.
Each May, as stars gather in Lagos, attention shifts from the awards to the red carpet. The AMVCA red carpet has become a cultural phenomenon, where celebrities, stylists, and designers collaborate to create memorable moments. Social media reacts instantly, fashion critics deliver immediate reviews, and fans engage in lively debates across continents.
Amid this intense spotlight, two categories emerge each year: Best Dressed and Worst Dressed. While the Best Dressed receive praise and endorsement opportunities, those on the Worst Dressed list often face public criticism, online ridicule, and lasting notoriety.
What distinguishes a successful look from a failure is rarely straightforward. An outfit may fall short if it is inappropriate for the occasion, poorly executed, or features unsuitable materials such as low-quality fabrics or ill-fitting designs. Sometimes, a look fails because it is overly complicated, losing its original intent.
The worst-dressed list is not simply about criticism. When viewed critically, it provides valuable insights into fashion, presentation, and self-awareness. It highlights that red carpet dressing is an art form with its own standards: respect the occasion, value craftsmanship, and recognize that simplicity can be most effective.
From 2020 to 2025, the AMVCA has seen a range of fashion missteps. Some were minor errors, such as a misplaced accessory, while others were significant failures that drew widespread attention. Several celebrities have appeared on worst-dressed lists multiple times, indicating ongoing challenges with red carpet style.
Ahead, we compile a list of the most controversial and memorable worst-dressed moments from five AMVCA editions. These are the looks that sparked the loudest conversations, and not for the reasons the celebrities had hoped.
Papaya Ex at the 2025 AMVCA
Papaya Ex earned one of the harshest assessments of the night. No sugar-coating here: “Papaya missed the mark with this look. A true case of ‘what was she thinking?'”
Photo Courtesy Wanni at the AMVCA 2025
Wanni’s dress had so much going on at the sleeves and the bottom, but sadly, it just did not come together properly.
Photo Courtesy Critics described it as a classic case of too many ideas competing for attention, with no harmony. The result was visual chaos rather than a coherent statement.
Chris Awudey at the AMVCA 2025
Photo Courtesy White Money at the AMVCA 2025
Big Brother Naija star White Money’s AMVCA 2025 appearance featured a cultural outfit with a tall hat, beads, and a staff that fans found more comical than cultural. The ensemble aimed to represent Igbo heritage but came off as exaggerated.
Photo Courtesy “White Money’s look was like a disgraced pharaoh—I can’t even rate it,” laughed a YouTube commenter. Online opinions stressed it lacked refinement, making it one of the most talked-about misses of the night.
Desmond Elliot at the AMVCA 2025
Desmond Elliot, the Nigerian actor and politician, turned heads for all the wrong reasons at the 2025 AMVCA with an outfit that fans likened to an “elephant in the room.” His massive black skirt-like ensemble, paired with a structured top, evoked images of a dramatic Nollywood villain rather than red carpet elegance.
Photo Courtesy The look aimed for grandeur but ended up overwhelming, with mismatched proportions and a heavy silhouette that didn’t flatter. Public opinion was swift and savage: one X user quipped, “Bruh pulled up in a massive black skirt like a disgraced wizard in exile. Looked like he escaped from a Nollywood reboot of Macbeth.” Fans on social media echoed this, calling it a publicity stunt gone wrong, with comments emphasizing how it ignored basic styling principles amid the event’s theme of African excellence.
Pretty Mike at the AMVCA 2025
Known for his eccentric style, Nigerian socialite Pretty Mike took eccentricity to new heights at AMVCA 2025. His outfit featured confusing fabric choices and over-the-top accessories that clashed rather than complemented. Aiming for shock value, the ensemble included mismatched patterns and bulky elements that made it look chaotic.
Photo Courtesy Fan reactions were mixed but largely critical: “Pretty Mike’s look was trying too hard to be viral, but it just ended up being a mess,” noted a commenter in a YouTube review. Social media buzzed with opinions that it pushed boundaries too far without cohesion, landing him on multiple worst-dressed lists for not balancing boldness with sophistication.
Ka3na at the AMVCA 2025
Photo Courtesy Neo Akpofure at the AMVCA 2025
Photo Courtesy Pretty Mike at the 2022 AMVCA
Photo Courtesy Oyebade-Bimbe-Adedimeji at the 2022 AMVCA
Photo Courtesy Ifuennada at the 2022 AMVCA
Photo Courtesy James Brown at the 2022 AMVCA
Photo Courtesy Omashola at the 2020 AMVCA
Photo Courtesy OAP, Gbemi at the 2020 AMVCA
Photo Courtesy Harrysongz at the 2020 AMVCA
Photo Courtesy Kiki Omeili at the 2020 AMVCA
Photo Courtesy Bisola Aiyeola at the 2020 AMVCA
Photo Courtesy Photo Courtesy
You May Also Like:
Janelle Monáe Wore Moss and Electrical Cables at the 2026 Met Gala
May 5, 2026Naomi Osaka’s 2026 Met Gala Gown Was Created in 3,280 Hours
May 5, 2026Teyana Taylor Wore a Show-Stopping Silver Fringe Tom Ford Gown at the 2026 Met Gala
May 5, 2026Ayo Edebiri Arrived at The 2026 Met Gala in an Ethereal Chanel Gown
May 5, 2026Simone Ashley Wore a Gorgeous Chain Dress at the 2026 Met Gala
May 5, 2026Met Gala 2026 Best Dressed: 17 Stunning Red Carpet Looks from Fashion's Biggest Night
May 5, 2026Tyla Stuns at 2026 Met Gala in Plunging Valentino Peacock Gown
May 5, 202621 Most Iconic AMVCA Red Carpet Fashion Moments
May 4, 2026Billboard Women in Music Awards 2026 Red Carpet: See The Best Looks
April 30, 2026Anok Yai Wears a Sculptural Ashi Studio Dress at the TIME100 Gala
April 24, 2026Simone Ashley Chose a Hot Pink Dress at The Devil Wears Prada 2 London Premiere
April 23, 2026Laura Whitmore Shows Off Her Baby Bump in Elegant Black Ensemble
April 23, 2026
Esther Ejoh is a Fashion Editor at Fashion Police Nigeria, where she writes all things fashion, beauty, and celebrity style, with a sharp eye and an even sharper pen. She’s the girl who’ll break down a Met Gala look one minute, rave about a Nigerian beauty brand the next, and still find time to binge a movie or get lost in a novel. Style, storytelling, and self-care? That’s her holy trinity.
