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The Big Brother Franchise has become an integral part of pop culture in Africa – especially Nigeria, with BBNaija.
The show has not only availed hundreds of brands exposure but has also allowed participants to attain celebrity status. Participants have become names in the entertainment industry and beyond — from music stars, brand ambassadors, sports personalities, and show producers to business moguls.
Aside from providing new opportunities for creatives, aspiring and already-made, to gain continental prominence that confers celebrity status on them and promotes their art, a report by Olusola Ogunnubi and Akinola says the show promotes Nigeria’s culture, and ultimately the foreign policy goal of fostering the goodwill of people in Africa and beyond.
For the most exciting edition yet, Biggie will merge housemates from South Africa as well as housemates from Nigeria in the BBTitans to fight for a $100,000 prize.
As the stage is set to deliver crunch moments and drama scenes in a few days, we look at how ex-BBMzansi and ex-BBNaija winners are spending their chance at fame.
Ferdinand Rabie (Big Brother South Africa 1) 2001
Ferdinand Rabie, the first winner of the reality TV show Big Brother SA, won the competition in 2001.
After emerging the winner, Rabie became a presenter for Kyknet, an Afrikaans station. That marked the beginning of his short stints in television as he featured in the comedy show Laugh Out Loud and the South African hit movie Stander – to mention a few.
Nowadays, Ferdinand ‘Ferdie’ Rabie is an actor, entrepreneur and business owner who runs Ferdinand’s Tours & Adventures, a company with a passion for tourism, and an event company – Legend Events.
Katung Aduwak (Big Brother Nigeria 1) 2006
Katung is the first winner of the Big Brother Naija show, which aired in 2006. Hosted by Olisa Adibua and Michelle Dede, 26 years old Katung defeated now-famous host Ebuka Obi-Uchendu and actor Gideon Okeke — among others, to walk away with the $100,000 prize.
Today, Katung is one of Nigeria’s most popular media experts. In 2021, he released his debut movie “Heaven’s Hell”. He also directed the film “Unwanted Guest” and “Not Supposed to be here”. He has directed several music videos for Chocolate City and Styl Plus and has starred in EbonyLife TV’s “Desperate Housewives.”
Apart from being a multimedia artist whose brand, Soujournerinc, features urban arts, Aduwak is the CEO of One O Eight Media & African Partner for Campfire Media, a position he ascended after serving for years as Senior Channel Manager at MTV Base, Senior Creative Director at VIACOM International and Executive Director at Chocolate City.
Richard Cawood (Big Brother South Africa 2) 2002
In 2002, Richard Cawood, the last man standing in the Big Brother house together with Jacueline Brits, became the second housemate to walk away with the grand prize.
Apart from being a farmer and professional hunter, Cawood has continued life away from the spotlight and now runs Richard Cawood Investments – a company that specialises in a variety of business investment projects.
Efe Ejeba (BBNaija ‘See Gobbe’) 2017
When the BBNaija reality TV show returned in 2017, some fans didn’t know what to expect, while others hadn’t heard about the show before. “See Gobe” quickly made its mark on the map as it pitched 22 housemates against one another. Hosted by ex-housemate Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Delta State-born Efe Ejeba secured 57.61 per cent of the votes to emerge winner of the 25 million Naira grand prize.
Efe kickstarted his music career upon his win, releasing his EP Lagos Ep, based on his migration from Jos to Lagos. He has also collaborated with superstars such as Olamide.
Now, Efe hobnobs with the industry’s great and good and makes his trade in music. His recently released song “No Go Do Again” polishes a shelf of good songs such as “Based on Logistics” and “I love You”.
Mandla Hlatshwayo (Big Brother Mzansi: Secrets) 2014
Mandla Hlatshwayo won the third instalment of Big Brother SA to walk away with R 1,000,000.
From then on, he has become a TV host, featuring in Mzansi Magic’s interactive live music show ‘Please Call Me’ and a reality show with his partner, South African actor and personality Lexi Van, on Mzansi Magic called Lexi and Mandla.
Miracle Igbokwe (BBNaija ‘Double Wahala’) 2018
Miracle became the winner of the third instalment of the BBNaija reality TV show titled “Doube Wahala”. Again hosted by ex-housemate Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, 20 housemates competed for the 25 million naira prize.
On winning, Miracle received a 25 million naira cheque, a brand new Hyundai Tucson SUV worth 12 million, home appliances worth N3 million and a trip to an exotic location for two, totalling N45 million worth of prizes.
On June 26 2019, Miracle graduated from an aviation school in the United States. Although he likes to keep a low profile away from the glam and paparazzi, the 2018 BBNaija winner is doing well for himself as a certified pilot in the United States.
Ace Khumalo and Ntombi Tshabalala (Big Brother Mzansi: Double Trouble) 2015
The duo became the first couple to win the Mzansi Big Brother as they won R 2,000,000 in the ‘Double Trouble’ edition of the TV show in 2015.
From then on, they have continued their ‘ship’ away from the paparazzi and they have three kids together.
Mercy Eke (BBNaija Pepper Dem) 2019
Mercy became the first female to win the famed reality TV show, amassing 41.77 of the votes and warding off stiff competition from Mike Edwards. Mercy Eke went home with a total prize of 60 million naira.
In 2019, Mercy Eke launched her clothing Line ‘MNM Luxury’. A year later, she debuted in Nollywood with the movie Fate of Alakada. Merce Eke is today one of the most sought-after influencers and brand ambassadors. Her clients include Royal Hair International Limited, Luscious hair, Mapia, Ciroc, Unique Motors, Innoson, Payporte and Desperado drink.
Michelle Mphowabadimo Mavundla (Big Brother Mzansi: Beke Le Beke) 2022
On 03 April 2022, becoming the first solo woman to win the TV show, Mphowabadimo defeated 20 other housemates to walk away with R 2,000,000.
A certified African doctor and healer, Mphowabadimo fell in love fellow housemate Themba Mabaso during the show, and they have continued their relationship outside the house. The first-ever solo female BBMzansi winner is also a Youtuber and DJ.
Olamilekan ‘Laycon’ Agbeleshebioba (BBNaija ‘Lockdown’) 2020
When Laycon first stepped into the BBNaija house in 2020, no one expected that he’d be the first Lockdown housemate to be verified on Instagram, talk more of win the show. As one of the 20 housemates selected from the 30,000 contestants who auditioned virtually as COVID-19 crippled day-to-day activities, Laycon quickly made an impression on fans with his musical talent, intelligence and unassuming demeanour.
After winning the 85 million naira grand prize, Laycon has been making waves in the music industry, dropping hits like ‘God Body’, ‘New Dimension’ and an album Shall We Begin while featuring superstars along the way.
Beyond that, he was made the youth ambassador of Ogun State, Nigeria, in 2020, and he launched his reality TV show on Showmax titled ‘I Am Laycon’ a year later. The reality show sheds light on his life and his journey to superstar status.
Laycon is a brand ambassador for brands such as Orijin, OPPO, Mentos and many more.
Hazel ‘Whitemoney’ Oyeze Onou (BBNaija ‘Shine Ya Eye’) 2021
Whitemoney emerged as the winner of ‘Shine Ya Eye’ edition of the BBNaija show to win the grand prize of 90 million naira.
Before his time in the house, Whitemoney was a jack of all trades, juggling barbing, cooking, taxi driving, singing and comedy acting. No surprise that in the wake of his win, ‘Odogwu’, as he is fondly called, has been a sought-after character in different industries.
Apart from being a brand influencer for Gotv, Tecno and Binance, he is also an ambassador to Enugu State on Creative Arts and an honorary member of the Liberian Senate.
Whitemoney has released two singles, ‘Selense’ and ‘Na We We’. He has also worked with Masterkraft, Mix Monsta, Fiokee, and Zoro.
On September 21, 2022, Whitemoney signed a deal with Empire Mates Entertainment (EME). The 30-year-old also dropped two singles titled “Egwu” and “You Bad” on September 23, 2022.
The post How BBMzansi and BBNaija Winners Are Spending Their Chance At Fame As BBTitans Premieres On Sunday appeared first on Nigerian Entertainment Today.
Source: TheNet
