According to a report by Vanguard on Friday, May 23, 2026, former Big Brother Naija housemate Queen Mercy Atang has shared more details about the discomfort she experienced while wearing her now-viral 500-loaf bread-inspired outfit to the 12th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.
She explained in an interview with the BBC that although the dress eventually became a global sensation, attracting attention from both social media users and international media platforms, the experience behind the scenes was far more painful and exhausting than people could see from photos and videos.
Queen noted that the outfit, created by designer Tiana Empire over several weeks, was not just visually striking but extremely heavy, making it difficult for her to move freely or maintain balance for long periods. She added that what looked glamorous on the outside came with significant physical strain, as the weight of the design affected her posture and left her visibly uncomfortable during the event.
She recalled that the moment she first put on the dress was overwhelming, describing how the pressure of the outfit immediately took a toll on her body. In her words, “I literally cried while wearing that dress. I said, first I need to catch my breath.”
She further explained that despite the emotional and physical difficulty, she had to compose herself quickly because she still needed to attend the event and present the outfit to the public. According to her, she was also motivated by the desire to ensure people saw the real dress in person, rather than assuming the viral images circulating online were digitally created or exaggerated.
Queen added that by the time she arrived at the venue, the red carpet session had already ended, but her appearance still drew significant attention from guests, photographers, and fashion enthusiasts who were curious about the unique design.
Source: Denenblog
