Lucy Nnaji
Former Big Brother Naija housemate, Bisola Aiyeola, has shown that just anybody can become famous, if given the opportunity.
Having employed the platform of the reality show to showcase her skills and inner creativity, Ayeola believes that in Big Brother, every housemate is a winner.
According to her, whether or not you win the cash prize, if you can successfully sell your talent and yourself, you’re made!
Although, a lot of people might not remember, before her time in the Big Brother House, Ayeola featured in Project Fame West Africa in 2008 where she came fifth. She went on to become a TV host of Billboard Nigeria and even had a lead role in the drama series, Life of a Nigerian Couple. However, Ayeola didn’t become a household name until 2017 when she became the first runner-up in the Big Brother Naija ‘See Gobe’ show.
Speaking at a recent interview, Ayeola said: “Big Brother Naija is an amazing platform to actualize your dreams and goals. It is important for incoming housemates to make use of the platform to advertise their skills to a continent-wide audience, as this is an exposure that will change anyone’s life for good.”
To that effect, Ayeola has taken full advantage of her time in the Big Brother Naija house to advance her music and acting career, landing a management deal with The Temple Management Company, which already houses big names like Don Jazzy, Iyanya, 9ice, sprinter Seye Ogunlewe, and has released an EP and music videos.
Aside this, Ayeola has attended the 72nd United Nations General Assembly in New York as an ambassador of One Campaign Initiative, secured more movie roles and won the AMVCA’s ‘Trail Blazer’ award in 2018 – an achievement she’s most proud of.
Nevertheless, nothing captures the impact of Ayeola’s stint in the Big Brother Naija House better than a message she wrote on the anniversary of her departure from the show in 2018.
Hear her: “Today is a birthday of sort for me. One year ago, I left the Big Brother House as runner-up and set upon a path that has been beyond my wildest dreams. People always ask me about my time in the House, but truth is none of us imagined the hype surrounding everything we were doing and how our lives were going to change. It still takes me by surprise when I travel around the world and people come up to me to wish me well and sometimes even quote things, I said from a year ago.
“I went into the House with just one purpose which was to reach as many people and showcase my talent. When I think of the things that my Big Brother experience has allowed me to do in the past 12 months, it is difficult to do so without overwhelming gratitude. It has allowed me greater selection in the kind of projects I do. It has given me the opportunity to add my voice to the plight of our young girls who have the smallest voices in our country.
“Most important, it has allowed me to be closer to all of you. I thank @multichoice_africa, @payporte and @dstvnigeria for the life-changing opportunity. I thank my mother, my sister @Adunola.a, my daughter, Leyla for their constant support. I thank you @biodunstephen and @thetemplecompany for always having my back. I thank each and every one of you for continuing to tolerate my craziness and allowing me to be myself. Trust me, when I say you ain’t seen nothing yet! I love you all.”