This article is part of Had I Known, Zikoko’s theme for September 2025, where we explore Nigerian stories of regret and the lessons learnt. Read more Had I Known stories here.
When Eminem coined the word Stan — a portmanteau of “stalker” and “fan” — in his 2000 song of the same name, he likely did not anticipate how deeply it would reshape fandom all over the world. As everywhere else, the term has taken deep roots in Nigeria.
From 30Bg to Outsiders to Machala, Stan culture has become a big part of Nigeria’s pop culture scene. Among the loudest and most polarising groups are Big Brother Naija stans. While football and music stans follow next in line ranked by their level of online activity.
But celebrities are human and humans disappoint. For these fans who are deeply invested in parasocial bonds with their faves, disillusionment is inevitable. And when a line is crossed, many find themselves doing the once-unthinkable: unstanning.
As part of our Had I Known theme for the month of September, we asked 8 Nigerians to share celebrities they once stanned with their full chest and now wish they never did.
1. “Honestly, he embarrassed himself, but I felt like I carried the embarrassment with him.” — Michel, 20 on Emmanuel of BBN Shine Ya Eye
One celebrity I regret stanning is Emmanuel of Big Brother Naija Shine Ya Eye. I started stanning him a few days after the show began, back when I was in my “fine boys only” era. As a loyal fan, I was focused on strategising with co-fans on how to boost his engagement, even replying to random comments. That phase was hell because he was dragged for something new every single day, so I had no days off.
Meanwhile, he was in a ship while in the house. After the show, the ship ended, but I didn’t really care — until the fallout got way too messy. That’s when I got the ick. There was just a lot of fooling on his end. Honestly, he embarrassed himself way too much. As a loyal fan, my major regret is feeling like I carried the embarrassment with him.
2. “Looking back, I kind of regret how much I invested in him during his season.” — Sandra, 30 on Cross of BBN Shine Ya Eye
During the Shine Ya Eye BBN season, I was obsessed with Cross. His childlike personality pulled me in, and I was genuinely intrigued by how sweet he was. His happiness made me happy, and his sad days affected me as well. The day a fellow housemate insulted him because of his learning disability, I wanted to run mad. It felt like I was the one who was disrespected. I even sent a gift package to the person recording his Instagram lives after the show, so he could keep going live.
Then the last 2023 presidential elections came. Cross said a lot of foolish things during that period. First, he was supporting Atiku, who wasn’t exactly popular among young Nigerians. Then he started attacking Peter Obi, questioning why he was running when, according to him, Obi wouldn’t win. That was when the stanship cleared from my eyes immediately. I disconnected so fast, I didn’t even think it was possible. Looking back, I kind of regret how much I invested in him during his season.
3. “His behavior kept getting harder to defend” — Dd dolls, 25 on Kanye West
I regret stanning Kanye West. At first, I was drawn to him because of his art and music. There is a popular quote of his that I absolutely love: “If you are a fan of Kanye, you are a fan of yourself.” All these things made me feel proud to support him.
But then he started acting wild online and even sexualising his wife publicly. His behavior kept getting harder and harder to defend. What once felt inspiring now just felt embarrassing. I still feel silly for ever supporting someone like him.
4. “The turning point for me was realising that he was proud and condescending.” — Prince, 30 on Davido
Back in the day, Davido’s music had me hooked like cheap drugs. I remember the first time I heard one of his songs as a caller tune on someone’s phone, and I rushed to subscribe so I could have it too. It felt like he was trying to prove himself despite the “rich kid” tag, and I admired his work rate.
But stanning him has not aged well. The turning point for me was realising that he is proud and condescending. Every time I saw clips of him online talking down to people, it slowly chipped away at how I saw him. Then came the way he sometimes treats his wife in public, and that was the final straw. I am going to be honest, he is very talented and his songs still hit, but I can’t respect the man behind them anymore.
Subscribe to Zikoko Pop Newsletter, The Feed, for the most important pop culture news
5. “I don’t know what brain cell clicked, but the reunion episodes made me realise how toxic she was.” — Nkoli, 24 on Tacha
My toxic Stan story starts in 2019. Looking back, I believe that was the ‘razzest’ point in my life. I don’t even know what drew me to Tacha — maybe it was the fact that she was a polarising character. But whatever drew me to her had me fighting people on Twitter and Instagram, losing real-life friends to arguments over her, staying up late to watch the drama, and wasting my money on votes.
I finally stopped stanning her during the reunion. I don’t know what brain cell clicked, but her persona during the reunion episodes made me realise how toxic she was. I regret it because I cringe every time I think about how I almost lost myself.
6. “ It’s one thing not to believe in a religion, and another thing to deliberately mock it.” — Samuel, 20 on Lil Nas X
One listen to “Old Town Road,” and I was sold. That was my first encounter with Lil Nas X, and he was on a roll, dropping hit after hit, including an album full of even more bangers. As a musician, he was simply amazing. I wasn’t a wild fan though, I was just a huge fan who regularly streamed his music.
But then he started mocking Jesus and Christianity continuously. It’s one thing not to believe in a religion, and another thing to deliberately mock it. That was the breaking point for me. I unfollowed him and stopped listening to his music. It’s not entirely regret though, it’s part disappointment. I’m ashamed of him.
7. “I voted for her every week she was up for eviction and even defended her in gatherings with friends.” —Terry, 27 on Phyna
I fell in love with Phyna during her season of Big Brother Naija. I liked how she always stood her ground no matter the situation and wasn’t afraid to call anyone out on their mess. She was no saint, but her being vocal and unbothered by the constant bickering drew me to her.
I voted for her every week she was up for eviction and even defended her in gatherings with friends. I can’t remember the exact point when I stopped, but it was a series of things that made me realize she wasn’t worth my time anymore. She became pompous and started talking a lot of trash on social media. Looking back, I regret stanning her because my time really could have been invested in some other things.
8.” I was a full-blown Marlian, defending him on the internet everywhere like a rabid stan” — Precious, 22 on Naira Marley
One celebrity I really regret stanning is Naira Marley. I used to be such a huge fan. The funny part is that my parents always judged me for singing his songs. I was even sagging my trousers because of him. I was a full-blown Marlian, defending him on the internet everywhere like a rabid stan.
What finally made me stop was the whole Mohbad allegations. That rubbed me the wrong way. I regret ever publicly identifying myself as a fan of his.
Do you have a story of regret? Share it with us by filling this form.
