Who is Funke Lagoke? 'American Idol' contestant and Miss Nigeria USA fainted and fell face down on stage

Funke Lagoke and Ronda Felton were going head to head against each other but Funke fainted right before the results were going to be announced
UPDATED MAR 23, 2021
Funke Lagoke was escorted out of the 'American Idol' venue on a stretcher and taken to the hospital right away (ABC)
Funke Lagoke was escorted out of the 'American Idol' venue on a stretcher and taken to the hospital right away (ABC)

'American Idol' aired one of the most traumatic incidents to have happened on the show ever. Contestant Funke Lagoke was seen falling face down after she fainted right before the results of her duet performance with Ronda Felton were going to be announced. 

The duo named 'Melanated Queens' performed 'Tell Him' by Barbara Streisand and Celine Dion and even though both of them have very powerful voices, Ronda crashed and burned after the opening lines and Funke carried herself to the very end. Lionel Richie was just about to finish his critique but Funke came crashing on the ground and medical staff immediately rushed on the stage to tend to her. 

READ MORE

Did Kellyanne Conway NOT support Claudia at 'American Idol'? Here's why fans said she will 'screw' her daughter

Who is Philip Murphy? Meet the street performer on 'American Idol' who won over judges in the Hollywood round



 

Funke was escorted out of the venue on a stretcher and taken to the hospital right away. An update was provided for the audience, later on, stating Funke was treated for dehydration and was doing okay. the update also said that she will be returning for the show stopper rounds, meaning both Ronda and her had advanced to the next level. 

Who is 'American Idol' contestant Funke Lagoke?

Funke short for Funmike Lagoke competed in the 2019 Miss Nigeria USA pageant and won the title. She competed against 15 young girls and she had decided to use the platform for promoting performance arts in education. “I have found my purpose in teaching by giving back and being a positive influence and an advocate for our future leaders of tomorrow,” she shared back then. “Through all of my experiences, life challenges, victories and failures; I had to get back up again and see it through," she added



 

Funke Lagoke's tragic fainting on the show had shaken up the fans and they slammed the show for airing her fall and embarrassing her. "I don't think they should've showed that girl fainting. They could've cut away or something, you're embarrassing that girl but whatever #AmericanIdol," a comment read. "Shame on ABC for airing that! #AmericanIdol," read another tweet. "Never should have aired this young woman passing out. Exploitation at its worst. Shame on you American Idol. #AmericanIdol," another fan tweeted. "@AmericanIdol #AmericanIdol you really think it is good tv showing a young woman fainting and busting her face?" another fan wrote. 



 



 



 



 

'American Idol' airs Sunday and Monday at 8 pm ET on ABC. 

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Tommy Lee Jones has a string of TV roles and even won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series telefilm, 'The Executioner's Song.'
4 hours ago
The locations where 'Scarpetta' was filmed further add to the grim and dark tone of the Prime Video series starring Nicole Kidman as the lead.
5 hours ago
The competition in 'Survivor 50' heats up in the third episode, which features the season's first tribe swap and forces them to form new plans.
5 hours ago
In quintessential  Eiichiro Oda fashion, 'One Piece' Season 2 introduced the character by sneaking his silhouette on the show.
5 hours ago
The exciting casting update comes after AMC's recent move to add Paola Núñez as a series regular earlier this week
7 hours ago
Shay Mitchell will be joined by David Chokachi, Jessica Belkin, Hassie Harrison, Thaddeus LaGrone, and more in the upcoming drama
8 hours ago
Rick and Morty Season 9 will air in more than 170 countries and 42 languages, reaching a massive audience.
1 day ago
The world of golf may have certainly forgotten about him, but Will Ferrell's Lonnie believes he's closer than ever to achieving a grand slam in 'The Hawk.'
1 day ago
'High Potential' Season 2 follows Morgan and Daphne as they probe a brutal attack on someone from Morgan’s past.
1 day ago
Based on Patricia Cornwell's novels, the Prime Video series starring Nicole Kidman made its much-awaited debut on Wednesday.
1 day ago