It can be daunting going into the Big Brother Naija house as a relatively unknown person and emerging from the show as an instant star. For many housemates, they used their stardom to launch new careers as actors, TV presenters, musicians, and influencers. For others, they left the show and went back to their former lives, basking in relative obscurity.
Either way, for every single housemate that goes on the show, it is undeniable that their lives are always changed by it.
We asked some of the former housemates how the show affected their lives. Here is what they had to say.
1. Beauty
Real name: Beauty Etsanyi Tukura
Season: Big Brother Naija Season 7 – Level Up (2022)
Status: Lawyer and brand influencer
“Big Brother Naija started my brand. It gave me the whole platform I have today. Because of the show, I’ve been able to make the whole world my runway.”
2. Mercy
Real name: Mercy Eke
Season: Big Brother Naija Season 4 – Pepper Dem (2019) – Winner
Status: Actress, fashion entrepreneur and brand influencer
“If you look at me, I think you can see it right here how Big Brother Naija affected my life. Big Brother Naija changed me. It changed my brand. It changed my whole existence, like come on.”
3. Ebuka
Real name: Ebuka Obi-Uchendu
Season: Big Brother Nigeria Season 1 (2006)
Status: TV host (notably of Big Brother Naija)
“Big Brother Naija definitely made me a TV presenter. I was never going to be doing this. It was not in my trajectory. I was a lawyer and I was going to be practising somewhere today. But I went into the house and discovered that I had this thing about speaking. I definitely wouldn’t have a career in television today if I didn’t do that.”
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4. Bisola
Real name: Bisola Aiyeola
Season: Big Brother Naija Season 2 – See Gobe (2017)
Status: Actress, TV host, and media personality
“Oh my God. Something I always say all the time is that going on Big Brother Naija escalated the success that I knew I was going to have either way. You know, it just took it like a gazillion steps faster to the top. And yeah, it’s been great since then.”
5. Gideon
Real name: Gideon Okeke
Season: Big Brother Nigeria Season 1 (2006)
Status: Actor and TV personality
“One thing Big Brother Naija did to my personal brand is that it brought me out to the world. Now you know who I am. Otherwise, I would still be in the ghetto.”
6. Kim Oprah
Real name: Chinonso Opara
Season: Big Brother Naija Season 4 – Pepper Dem (2019)
Status: Beauty and travel entrepreneur
“We all know that Big Brother Naija is an amazing platform. It showcases you to the world at large, and honestly, you can only go up from there. That was what it did to me.”
7. Cross
Real name: Ikechukwu Sunday Okonkwo
Season: Big Brother Naija Season 6 – Shine Ya Eye (2021)
Status: Crypto entrepreneur and brand influencer
“Big Brother Naija definitely showed me to the whole world. I was mostly known in Abuja, but now I’m known in at least 40-something countries in Africa. That’s a great thing.”
8. Chinwe
Real name: Chinwe Elibe
Season: Big Brother Naija Season 9 – No Loose Guard (2024)
Status: Brand influencer
“Big Brother Naija put me in the limelight. It put me out there. Prior to Big Brother, I was always in my own comfort zone. But going on the show and coming out, I’ve had to step out of my comfort zone—and I totally love it there.”
9. Nelly
Real name: Nnenna Mbonu
Season: Big Brother Naija Season 9 – No Loose Guard (2024)
Status: Brand influencer
“Big Brother Naija has changed my life in a lot of ways. I mean, I have had way more recognition, which was what I wanted. My brand is what it is today because of Big Brother.”
10. Laycon
Real name: Olamilekan Agbeleshebioba
Season: Big Brother Naija Season 5 – Lockdown (2020) – Winner
Status: Musician and brand influencer
“Obviously, Big Brother Naija took my brand off the roof. That one is not a question how much it has changed my life.”
11. Elozonam
Real name: Elozonam Ogbolu
Season: Big Brother Naija Season 4 – Pepper Dem (2019)
Status: Actor and content creator
“Big Brother Naija elevated my brand. It exposed my brand. Simple.”
12. Adekunle
Real name: Adekunle Tobilola Olopade
Season: Big Brother Naija Season 7 – Level Up (2022)
Status: Media personality and brand influencer
“Obviously, Big Brother gave me a platform. It made millions of people know me.”
