Every year, thousands of contestants travel to various locations to participate in auditions for the popular reality TV program Big Brother Naija, commonly abbreviated as BBNaija, in the hopes of being chosen as one of the lucky housemates.
The fact that the show gives candidates a platform to begin their careers in a variety of entertainment industry sectors is one of the main reasons why so many Nigerians aspire to be on it.
The fact that BBNaija has been effective in making everyday people into overnight celebrities over the years is no longer news.
It is important to note that while not all former participants of BBNaija went on to become household names, a sizable portion of them went on to launch lucrative careers.
BBNaija Season 7
Seven of the most successful former BBNaija housemates are profiled by ENaija TV.
Ebuka Obi-Uchendu
Many people consider Ebuka Obi-Uchendu to be the most successful ex-BBNaija housemate.
He entered as one of the 14 housemates who would eventually compete in the first season of the show in 2006, coming in eighth.
Despite the fact that he lost the first season of the competition, Ebuka has since gone on to have a very prosperous career.
He is one of the BBN 2006 cast members who has had the most visible success to date. He was confirmed as the host of Big Brother Naija’s second season in January 2017 and has since hosted the show’s succeeding seasons.
He is also a brand ambassador for several companies and one of Nigeria’s most popular comperes and TV hosts.
Bisola
Bisola Aiyeola,simply called Bisola,was a housemate on the 2017 series of Big Brother Naija where she was first runner up.
While at BBN, she emerged winner of ONE Campaign reality show which is an international Advocacy Organisation for girl-child education with offices in London, United States, Nigeria and other parts of the world.
After leaving the house, as a singer, Bisola released her single debut Luchia under Temple music.
In 2017, Bisola was nominated for City People Movie Award for Revelation of the Year (English) alongside Zainab Balogun, Somkele Iyamah, Seun Ajayi.
In 2018, Bisola won the Trail Blazer Award at the AMVCA. She made her debut as a producer on Introducing the Kujus.
In 2022, She became the first African to host family feud, A TV reality show organized by MTN and Ultima.
Bisola has featured in severally Nollywood blockbusters, including;The Becoming Of Obim
This Lady Called Life, Two Grannies And A Baby, Payday, Introducing The Kujus, Breaded Life, Dwindle, Castle and Castle among others.
BBNaija Mike Edwards
Mike Edward participated in the Big Brother Naija reality show (Pepper Dem) season 4,where he emerged runner up with the highest number of votes second to Mercy Eke.
Mike defeated Frodd, Omashola and Seyi on the final day of the show to emerge runner up.He is a CEO and professional athlete.He owns the first black-owned cigar line in the United Kingdom called Aireyys.
Mike is married to the love of his life, Perris Shakes-Drayton, a British Olympian and also a TV personality
BBNaija Laycon
Olamilekan Massoud Al-Khalifah Agbeleshebioba, popularly known as Laycon was the winner of BBNaija season 5.
He entered the show as the number nineteenth contestant and soon established himself as a fan favorite.
Laycon became the first housemate of the season to be verified on Instagram on 22 July 2020.
He broke a record, becoming the first housemate in the show’s history to reach 1 million followers on Instagram while still in the house on 19 September 2020.
During the finale of the show on 27 September 2020, he was declared the winner scoring a record 60% of the total votes cast and went home with the 85 million grand prize.
Laycon’s Album Shall We Begin was released in April 2021, and the album peaked at number two in Nigeria top album chart, and number one on the Nigeria iTunes album chart.
The album went on to chart in over 30 countries and counting. In September 2021, Laycon release the original soundtrack album to his reality show I Am Laycon which was also titled I Am Laycon.
This was his second project of the year 2021 and it peaked at number nine on Nigeria album chart.
This made it Laycon’s third project to hit the top 10 charts in two years. Also, he was featured on “Enter My Head” by fellow former BBNaija housemate Veeiye, on her debut EP Young & Reckless.
In December 2021, Laycon headlined and sold out his first-ever concert tagged iCONs FEST at the 6000 capacity Eko Convention Center, Eko Hotels Lagos.
BBNaija Mercy Eke
The fourth season of BBNaija was won by Mercy Eke, making her the first woman to do so.
Eke became an influencer and advocate for several companies after winning the competition.
She debuted as an actress in the Nollywood film Fate of Alakada in 2020.
Along with a few Nigerian comedians, she has also participated in quick-witted comedic sketches.
Mercy has endorsed and served as a brand ambassador for a variety of companies, including Ciroc and Mr.Taxi.She also started MnM Luxury, her own apparel line.
BBNaija Tacha
Anita Natacha Akide, well known by her stage name Tacha, competed in Big Brother Naija (season 4).
Sadly, Tacha’s participation in the reality show came to an end as she attacked Mercy, one of her housemates, and was therefore disqualified and kicked out.
Assault is against the rule in the Big Brother house.Inspite of that she has gone on to do big things in her chosen field.
She has won awards like Net Honour’s Most Popular Person, Female Personality of The Year, Celebrity Entrepreneur of the year and many more.
She was the brand ambassador of GetFit, a Fitness brand. She made her acting debut in 2022,in the Nollywood movie “Tiger’s Tail.”
BBNaija Katung Aduwak
The $100,000 grand prize went to Katung Aduwak, who won the first season of the reality TV series Big Brother Nigeria.
After the reality TV show, Aduwak continued his study in New York at the Digital Film Academy, where he earned a degree in directing before entering the film industry.
Heaven’s Hell, Katung’s first film, was released in May 2019. The movie clips, which included Nollywood actors and actresses as well as Nigerian musician Waje, were shot in 2012 by One O Eight Media in collaboration with BGL and Hashtag Media House.
Not Supposed to be Here, a short film directed by Aduwak in 2020, explores the tension between African Americans and the African diaspora.
Be part of the #BBNaija gist on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Be First to Comment