Nigerian Afrobeats singer Adekunle Gold turned heads at the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris on September 22, where he attended as a cultural ambassador. The award-winning artist arrived in a sleek black Balenciaga tuxedo, exuding elegance and global star power.
However, his outfit quickly became a subject of online controversy. Popular social media critic Daniel Regha slammed Adekunle Gold’s choice, arguing that the look lacked Nigerian or African cultural elements. According to Regha, the event presented a missed opportunity for the singer to showcase traditional attire on an international stage.
The criticism sparked reactions across platforms, with TV host Frank Edoho stepping into the conversation. Edoho clapped back at Regha by pointing out that he himself wore non-traditional clothing to a public event in 2023, suggesting that the influencer was being hypocritical.
This back-and-forth has fueled wider discussions on celebrity accountability and cultural representation. Some fans side with Regha, agreeing that Nigerian celebrities should use global platforms to highlight local heritage, while others argue that artists should be free to embrace international fashion without being policed.
For Adekunle Gold, the Ballon d’Or appearance reinforced his role as a global Afrobeats ambassador, but it also reignited a familiar debate: how much responsibility do celebrities have in promoting culture when they step onto international stages?
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