The Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) reality TV show is one of the most popular in Africa. The show serves as a window to fame, enabling housemates to become celebrities.
However, while some of these housemates may have achieved a level of fame before contesting on the show, the platforms automatically shine the spotlight on them, hence elevating their status quo.
After leaving the show, some of these housemates pursue various forms of entertainment, including modelling, music, and acting, among others.
Daily Trust reports a peek at some of the prominent housemates who had ventured into the Nigerian film industry.
Tobi Bakre
Tobi Bakre is a Nigerian actor, model, host and photographer. Bakre was an ex-housemate in the BBNaija Season 3 show titled, “Double Wahala”. After finishing as a finalist in the show, which Miracle Igbokwe later won, Bakre rose to fame. After the reality show, he ventured into acting, featuring in popular Nollywood movies such as Mokalik, Sugar Rush, Fix Us, Jenifa’s Diary and The Blood Covenant.
As an actor, he received three nominations at the 2020 Best of Nollywood awards. He was nominated for Most Popular Media Personality (Male) at the 2021 Net Awards.
Aside from acting, Bakre is recognised as a brand ambassador to Unilever, Amstel Malta, and Jumia Nigeria.
Nengi
Rebecca Nengi Hampson can be said to be one of the most popular celebrities to emerge from the BBNaija platform. She was one of the Season 5 housemates in the reality show, tagged “Lockdown”. Despite demonstrating promising traits that could have won the show, she unfortunately lost to Laycon in the eviction on the final day.
Immediately after the show, the reality TV star embarked on acting and modelling, featuring in movies such as Rattlesnake, Badboys and Bridesmaid. Nengi was also featured on the television show, Nkoyo, produced by Annie Idibia. She also appeared as a video vixen in Davido’s music video, Jowo.
Bisola
Bisola Aiyeola is a Nigerian actress and singer. She was one of the housemates in the Big Brother Naija 2017 show, tagged “See Gobe,” and later became the first runner-up in the reality TV show.
After her performance in the competition, the TV star transitioned into acting, playing lead roles in popular movies such as Sugar Rush, This Lady Called Life, Ovy’s Voice, Dwindle, Picture Perfect, and many others.
Bisola had also won prominent awards in the Nollywood industry, including the 2018 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Award (AMVCA), where she received the Trailblazer Award, and the 2020 Best of Nollywood awards for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in the movie Sugar Rush.
Erica
Erica Ngozi Nlewedim is a Nigerian model, actress and entrepreneur. The young lady was one of the stars who rose to fame through the Big Brother Naija show in the 2020 “Lockdown” edition.
Despite being disqualified from the show, Erica has earned a name for herself in the Nigerian film industry.
The reality TV star has appeared in several Nollywood movies, among which are: The Blood Covenant, Hire a woman, Devil in Agbada, Bitter Rain, Made in Heaven, and many others. During the 2022 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA), Erica was invited to present the award of “Best Actress in a Drama”.
Teddy A
Tope Adenibuyan, popularly called Teddy A got into the 2018 Big Brother Reality show, titled “Double Wahala”. After Teddy A got evicted from the show, he appeared in several Nollywood movies including The Gift, No Budget, Unsane, and the popular Tv show Jenifa’s Diary.
Teddy A had also featured in popular skit maker Taaoma’s comedies alongside his wife, BamBam, who is also an ex-housemate of the Big Brother Naija show.
