Denver, Colorado – A woman who was publicly removed from Nigerian superstar Burna Boy’s concert after appearing to doze off has broken her silence, revealing the heartbreaking personal circumstances behind her exhaustion.
Chaltu Jateny, the fan at the center of a viral controversy, explained in social media comments that she had been “mentally, physically, and emotionally drained” following the recent death of her daughter’s father. She attended the November 12, 2025, show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre near Denver hoping the music would lift her spirits amid grief and depression.
“I am the girl that was kicked out of the show last night,” Jateny wrote in response to a viral TikTok video of the incident. “That was very embarrassing and humiliating to myself and my boyfriend. Burna Boy could’ve handled that situation better than that.”
She added that the artist’s delayed stage appearance contributed to her fatigue: “He took forever to come out and I was tired. We paid to be there and if I wanted to close my eyes and sleep, I can do that. It is my money that I wasted not his.”
The moment unfolded midway through Burna Boy’s performance when the Grammy-winning artist paused his set, pointed to the front-row couple, and demanded they leave. “When I stand up here and see you over there with your girl sleeping in front of me, it pisses me the f*** off,” he told the audience, refusing to continue until security escorted them out.
Video footage of the exchange quickly spread online, drawing mixed reactions—some defending the artist’s expectation of high energy from fans, others criticizing the public humiliation of paying attendees.
Jateny urged online commenters to “show kindness because you never know what someone is going through,” a sentiment echoed by many who shifted sympathy toward her after her explanation surfaced.
Burna Boy, whose real name is Damini Ogulu, initially doubled down on the decision in a livestream, reportedly questioning critics with remarks like “Did I ask you to be my fans?” However, amid mounting backlash—including comments from celebrities—the artist later issued apologies during subsequent tour stops and canceled several U.S. dates.
The incident has sparked broader discussions on concert etiquette, artist-fan dynamics, and empathy in public spaces. As of December 2025, Burna Boy continues parts of his “No Sign of Weakness” tour amid ongoing online debate.
