Temi Nkem, BBNaija 11 Winner: I Doubted Myself Countless Times, Never Knew Nigerians Love Me

For 10 weeks, 21-year-old BBNaija ‘Show Ya Sef’ season 11 winner Temitope Chigbue better known as Temi Nkem gave Nigerians a show to remember through her several personalities on the show. Raised in London with roots in Delta State (Ibusa) and Lagos (Ebute Metta), Temi Nkem spoke with MUTIAT LAWORE, about her plans for the prize money, why winning the show matters a lot to her, collaborations among others.

Congratulations on your winning, how do you feel at the moment?

Thank you! Honestly, I am still trying to soak it in as the winner of the show, I feel amazing most especially because I felt like I have broken all the stereotypes. I am the first of my kind and the youngest person to have won the show.

When I showed interest in the show, I got discouraged by a lot of people because I came from abroad and people told me outright I don’t have a chance of winning the ultimate prize.

But with God on my side and my terminator fans outside, they made it possible for me to be able to break that notion and here I am N160m richer in prize.

What are you most grateful for at the moment?

First, I am immensely grateful for the platform because it’s not an easy task been on the biggest reality show in Nigeria; I am happy I made new connections in the house.

Aside from the winning the ultimate prize, I am equally grateful for the small and big wins during arena tasks and above all so much praise from Biggie and the entire production crew.

Were there times you ever doubted yourself in the house?

Maybe at few instances because it will get to you when other housemates begin to feel certain way towards you but trust me, I am my own critic too.

When I feel am deviating from the plan, I correct myself even before others notice it. However, whenever I doubted myself, I just looked into the mirror, spoke word of confidence and then I moved on.

What will you say was the highlight for you during your stay in Biggie’s house?

For me, the highlight of my experience was probably when I won my first ever BET Power Friday Arena Night Game. Honestly, that was like an amazing moment for me because in my head I was thinking, ‘guys, I don’t even know if I can do this.’

Because, obviously, going to the games… What do I tell you guys? As long as you participate. As long you try your best, that’s all that matters, I tried my best and I won.

Was there any strategy that worked out for you?

My behavior in the house was part of a deliberate strategy because most of what the viewers saw was my personality, not a carefully constructed game plan.

I would say maybe 30 per cent was a game, 70 per cent was actually me genuinely being curious. I often asked questions in the house because I genuinely wanted to understand situations, rather than because I was deliberately creating a character for the cameras.

At what point in the season were you convinced that you were winning?

Was I? To be honest, I didn’t know because I felt like everybody was showing themselves in a certain point. So, I felt like me, lowkey, I’m not going to lie, I thought I was a sleeping beauty. I thought I was sleeping a lot. Waking up, going to the arena, sleeping again.

I thought you guys hated that but it seems like you guys were still finding something. I’m still amazed at how I won. Nigerians did it, they voted for me as their favourite and I won.

N90m in the bank, what are your plans for the prize money?

I started thinking about how to divide the money if I won even before leaving the Big Brother House. I will be investing a very big sum of my money because obviously everybody already knows, I already said that I studied Accounting and Finance, and I took an extra degree called Treasury.

So, I know how to work with my money and honestly, I want to get my money to grow. I’m going to back to school to finish my university education. Also, very importantly, I would support my parents with part of the money while also allowing myself some personal enjoyment after 70-day stint in Biggie’s house.

I know a lot of people will feel the urge to ask this when I said I was going to complete my education which is in the UK but the truth is I can complete the programme online so as to explore opportunities created by this new stardom. Just like I told a few housemates while in the house that I will explore Nigeria for a minimum of two years, see what Africa has for me, see what Nigeria has for me. Build on that. And the sky’s the limit. I got good content, good vlogs.

For clarification’s sake, what relationship existed between you, Barry, Keivo and Tram?

Hmmm! I initially found Barry attractive but stopped pursuing the connection after I felt he was not taking enough initiative in their conversations.

For Keivo, I was attracted to him when he entered the house but eventually became frustrated by what I described as his attempts to tell me what I should or should not do.

On Tram, I was physically attracted to him but did not develop romantic feelings for him. I’ve been telling the people that I came for the fun.

What advice do you have for youngsters like you?

I want my victory to encourage young Nigerians who may feel that their background could prevent them from succeeding. If that is not determination to you guys, courage for you guys to do this, just do whatever you want to do.

Do whatever you put your heart to. Keep doing what you need to do. Pray, every time. You’ll be sorted. You’ll be good,