Big Brother Naija Season 7 winner, Ijeoma Josephina Otabor, popularly known as Phyna, has responded to critics who attacked her for going clubbing shortly after her sister’s burial.

Gossip News Now News reports that Phyna, who lost her younger sister, Ruth Otabor, in a tragic Dangote truck accident in August, laid her to rest in September. However, just weeks later, a video surfaced online showing her at a nightclub with Nollywood actress Regina Daniels, sparking backlash from some social media users who accused her of being “insensitive.”

While Regina Daniels earlier came to her defense—urging people not to dictate how others should grieve—Phyna has now directly addressed the criticism.

Taking to her 𝕏 (Twitter) account, the reality star emphasized that grief is a deeply personal journey, adding that no one has the right to judge how others choose to cope with loss.

“Grief has no manual, no fixed face, and no timetable. The fact that I choose to keep living, smiling, or sharing moments does not erase the pain I carry. Respect the process, even if you do not understand it. If you cannot extend compassion, then at least extend silence,” she wrote.

Phyna’s post has since received widespread support from fans and fellow celebrities, many of whom agreed that mourning takes different forms and timelines for everyone.

Her response comes amid renewed conversations on mental health, public judgment, and the pressure placed on public figures to display grief in specific ways.