There is no doubt at all that the Big Brother Naija show is one of the biggest reality television shows in Africa at the moment.
With five editions to its credit, the show has produced several stars in the Nigerian entertainment industry due to its wide viewership around the world.
As the organisers of the show announce the commencement of its sixth season with a grand prize of N90m, Ademola Olonilua highlights six popular contestants who did not win on the show but are currently doing well in their various endeavours.
Ebuka Obi Uchendu
An alumnus of the Big Brother Naija maiden edition in 2006, Ebuka was one of the 14 housemates in the show. Although he did not win as he finished in eighth place, he has gone on to have the most illustrious career of all the BBNaija housemates.
He leveraged the platform to become one of the most popular and vibrant Nigerian TV show hosts. Asides from being the current host of the reality TV show since its return in 2017, Ebuka also hosts shows like Rubbin’ Minds on Channels Television and BlackBox interview.
He is also regarded as a Nigerian fashion icon.
Gideon Okeke
Popular movie star, Gideon Okeke, also came to the public eye in 2006 when he appeared as a contestant on the first edition of Big Brother Nigeria.
He also did not win the competition as Katung Aduwak emerged winner and went home with $100,000. After the show, he joined the cast of the popular television series, Tinsel, which launched his career as an actor and filmmaker.
Gideon also appeared on the South African TV series ‘Jacobs cross’.
He landed his first lead role in the 2010 drama film, Relentless, starring alongside Jimmy Jean-Louis and Nneka Egbuna.
His second lead role was in the 2014 crime thriller, A Place in the Stars.
In 2016, he was cast in the drama-thriller, 93 Days, starring alongside Danny Glover. For his role in the movie, Gideon received an AMVCA nomination for his portrayal of Dr Morris Ibeawuchi, one of the surviving doctors of the Nigerian Ebola crisis.
He was also a cast member of Saro The Musical 2, which toured in London.
The vocal actor has risen to become one of Nigeria’s finest thespians.
Bisola Aiyeola
Bisola Aiyeola was the runner up in season two of Big Brother Naija: See Gobe. She lost to Michael Efe Ejeba, fondly referred to as Efe, who went home with a cash prize of N25m and an SUV.
However, that did not stop her from being a top-notch entertainer. With her music and portrayal of roles in movies, she further endeared herself to Nigerians and increased her fan base.
She won the AMVCA Trailblazer Award at the 2018 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award- a prize that has a car attached to it.
She has starred in projects like Skinny Girl In Transit, Picture Perfect, Sugar Rush, among many others.
The sonorous singer also has hit songs to her credit, among which is Controlla, Heartbroken, among many others.
Tobi Bakre
Before the Big Brother Naija ‘Double Wahala’ in 2018, the young man worked as an investment banker. However, he rose to fame after he finished as a finalist on the show.
He dumped the banking industry and ventured into entertainment. Bakre is known as an actor, published photographer, model, host and one of the biggest brand influencers in Nigeria.
Asides from his roles in the movies, the entertainer also engages his fans on his Instagram page with his interesting poses, skits and work out regime, which makes the ladies drool. This has helped him increase his fan base and wormed his way into the hearts of his audience.
Bakre has starred in projects like Jenifa’s Diary, Hustle, Sugar Rush, and Mokalik.
Natacha Akide
Fondly referred to as Tacha, she was on her way to winning the ‘Big Brother Naija Pepper Dem’ edition when she got disqualified for causing physical harm to another housemate.
Despite her disqualification, she is still well-loved among her die-hard fans - Titans. They have kept her trending on Twitter virtually every day ever since she stepped into the Big Brother house in 2019.
Asides from being a social media influencer, she also has an Instagram account dedicated to her business.
Erica Nlewedim
The young lady was also disqualified in the Big Brother Naija Lockdown edition after receiving three strikes from Biggie. However, that did not diminish the love of her fans – Elites.
She also constantly trends on Twitter and no one dares go after the queen of the Elites as they would hit back in droves.
Before she entered the contest, she was already on her way to stardom as an aspiring actress. However, the platform catapulted her to fame.
In 2014, she participated in the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant where she bagged the MBGN Miss Photogenic award.
Her acting career started in 2015 with a lead role in Secrets and Scandals. She also featured in the TV Series ‘Royal Castle’ for three seasons.
In that same year, she starred in the movie Poka Messiah, Directed by Ernest Obi.
Shortly after her eviction, her fans launched a GoFundMe account for her. Barely 24 hours later, the account garnered over N6m.
Erica has continued with her acting career and she is a brand ambassador for several brands including Star Radler.
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Source: The PUNCH
