In an exclusive interview with Tribune Online and other media houses, Big Brother Naija All Stars housemate Princess Onyejekwe, the first evicted housemate of the season, shared her insights and thoughts on various aspects of her journey in the house.
The interview delved into her approach to being part of the All Stars house, her unique personality, her perspectives on the jury, her dynamics with fellow housemates in this edition of the show, and her outlook moving forward.
Her candid reflections offer viewers a chance to gain a deeper understanding of her journey and the dynamics within the house. Read the details of how the interview went below:
Interviewer: How do you feel coming out and finding out that if not for the judges, you could still have been in the house?
Princess: I felt bad, I still feel bad. There’s nothing I can do about it so I’m choosing to move forward. I’m trying to focus on my businesses and get some peace of mind most importantly.
Interviewer: Did you have a personal beef with jurors?
Princess: I didn’t have any personal beef with any of them. I didn’t even think familiarity was supposed to be a criterion. I didn’t know I was going to be judged by a jury either; if not, I would have set up my own jury.
Interviewer: What do you intend to do in the nearest future?
Princess: What happens next is what I’ve been doing the whole time. I’m a serial businesswoman, a serial entrepreneur. I’m going to focus on my two businesses: a premium beauty supply store and a luxury clothing store. They are modern stores open six days a week, and I’m open to deals and collaborations. I want to continue like I never left.
Interviewer: How much reality do you think is in the show?
Princess: Well, I was the only one being real. Viewers didn’t see that your everyday life doesn’t stir up drama for no reason. Nobody really does that; nobody is raving mad.
Interviewer: Would you have wished you have a bit of drama as opposed to being real?
Princess: I wasn’t getting paid to act, I wasn’t reading a script, and I wasn’t going to manufacture one. If I was given the opportunity to act, I will probably have had better news; you know, look better and have my film. So that it will be my set instead of Biggie’s news.
Interviewer: Was the house toxic? Did you experience toxicity with rivalries and fights?
Princess: Yes, I definitely did. Not directly but indirectly, hence why I tried hard to protect my space because I’ve worked hard on myself. I had to work hard to protect my energy since I left the show five years ago.
Interviewer: If there’s another All-Stars show, would you love to be a part of it?
Princess: If I’m called, why not? Because I’m always running businesses, every publicity is publicity for me.
Interviewer: Do you have a favourite you would want to win in the house?
Princess: No, my favourite was me.
Interviewer: Was just chilling in the house a strategy for you?
Princess: I was just about being Princess and protecting my peace. There was a lot of chaos that didn’t concern me, and there was no rule against chilling.
Interviewer: Would you say you didn’t deserve to be evicted?
Princess: I think I didn’t deserve it, but maybe the jury was not presented with the facts. I still feel like I didn’t deserve it. My percentage was almost double that of the least person, which is a very high margin. Yet, the platform decided to go with the jury. But Biggie’s house, Biggie’s rules, what can I say about that?
Interviewer: What was your strategy for winning?
Princess: My plan was to be flexible, see what presents itself, and decide how to go about it. You can’t have a strategy without knowing who you are playing against, so I had to see them for myself and understand how they think before deciding on a strategy.
Interviewer: Do you think you being the first evicted will hinder endorsements and PR deals?
Princess: I haven’t really depended on brand endorsement deals because I have my businesses to fall back on. However, I think they will come, and me being the first evicted isn’t going to affect it.
Interviewer: Do you think you made an impact in the house before your eviction?
Princess: I was more about promoting my business and promoting my personal brand because that’s what keeps me going when the show is over. Even though two weeks wasn’t enough, I mean I could never afford two weeks of international display 24/7. That’s a lot of money to pay for ads, and I got that for free. So, I’m banking on that.
Interviewer: Why do you think Uriel had a problem with you? Was it from outside the house or did it develop in the house?
Princess: I don’t remember having any issues with Uriel. I remember we bonded well at my former colleague’s burial, Rico, (God rest his soul). So, I don’t have an issue with Uriel. I shouldn’t be figuring out why Uriel has a problem with me. That’s a Uriel problem, not mine. She can answer that when she comes out.
Interviewer: Is there something you wish you knew before going into the house again?
Princess: Maybe I wish I knew about the jury.
Interviewer: What did it feel like to be in Big Brother’s house again?
Princess: The feeling is nostalgic. It affected me more than I thought, and it took some days to get my head properly set because five years down that line, I couldn’t deal with being in front of the world really. My mind was always wondering who was in my business, my family. If anything, I just realized I’m getting too old for this.
Interviewer: Who did you connect with the most?
Princess: That would be Neo. We shared good conversations, had good energy, and spoke at length about personal stuff. So, we have a friendship connection.
Interviewer: What would you have done differently if you were aware of the jury system?
Princess: I would’ve been more mentally prepared that it wasn’t going to be about the least votes but that anything can happen. I’m not 21 anymore; I’m a grown woman now. I don’t have time to recuperate and recover like I did five years ago. I have people that earn their living through me, so I don’t have time to break down. Mental preparation would have really helped.
Interviewer: Do you feel like your age was a burden for you while in the house?
Princess: My age was not a burden, but like every grown person, the older you get, you tend to prioritize your attention. So, I was more focused on my brand representation, what I wanted moving forward, and where I wanted to be in life. As someone that has been in the house in the past season, I know that Big Brother fame would only last for a maximum of 90 days, and there is life after Big Brother. So, I’m more focused on what I want people to know me for and how I want them to see me other than having to come out and start making damage control and disclaimers.
Interviewer: What was the plan for you coming into the house for the second time?
Princess: As everyone knows, it’s a winner-takes-all game. I didn’t know the prize money before going into the house; I only heard it in the house. I can make 120 million in so many ways, so I chose the bigger picture. I had no plan.
Interviewer: How do you strike the balance between being a quiet person and being a social media personality?
Princess: I do not control the cameras, so I do not know what the fans saw. But believe I gave the fans what they want to see; I believe I stayed away from toxic situations because I don’t want that energy.
Interviewer: Uriel accused you of faking your accent, how do you feel about that?
Princess: I have had a consistent accent for five years, and it’s sad and interesting that people are still fixated on it. In 2023, where we have so many global issues, I’m surprised that Uriel is worried about my accent; that is her problem.
Interviewer: There seems to be friction between you and Tolanibaj. What were the dynamics like between you two?
Princess: I remember complimenting Tolanibaj; I feel she’s a beautiful woman. I loved that she had a very chilled energy. I’m not sure I felt any friction between us, but I’ve come out to see that a lot of people had reservations that they did not share. So, I cannot be responsible for how people react to me when I’m not there. I honestly felt that Tolani was a beautiful soul.
Interviewer: Did you find it challenging to stay under the radar while still trying to make an impact?
Princess: Yes, I did find it challenging because I saw that everyone else was trying their best to get what you guys call ‘highlight,’ which is drama and toxicity. I knew it would do damage, but I still chose me and peace over having to come out to start explaining myself to people.
Interviewer: What was your experience like from the two seasons?
Princess: Comparing the two seasons side by side, in one season, I was blowing hot; in the other season, I was blowing cold. I realized you cannot please everybody; I realized that one does not need social media validation to be successful. That’s what I realized from the two seasons.
Interviewer: How were you able to handle the emotional aspect of facing eviction once again, considering your past experience with it?
Princess: I want to be done with my media rounds so I can go find healing because I definitely need that. It does have an impact on me; thankfully, I have a supportive family and friends, so I’m holding onto that. I’m looking at the positive side of things, as always.
Interviewer: Looking back, is there anything you wished you had done differently that might have changed the outcome for you?
Princess: No, I did everything I wanted to do, even though the outcome was tough. The only silver lining is that I do not have any regrets.
Interviewer: How did it feel to be part of the BBN experience, and what was your most memorable moment on the show?
Princess: I did feel elated; it was good to know that Big Brother did not forget about me. My most memorable moment was my birthday in the house.
Interviewer: About alliances and conflicts involving you in the house, do you have any regrets about any?
Princess: I’m not sure I have any regrets, particularly just that coming out and seeing a few people are held in high regard did not feel the same way. But such is life; sometimes you cannot control how people feel about you. I’m taking it in good faith.
Interviewer: Was there any particular twist and turns that caught you off guard, and how did you handle it?
Princess: Yes, the fact that it was no longer nominations but now ‘Pardon me please,’ and then also just coming out and finding out about the jury system in place. It was tough for me.
Interviewer: How does it feel to have a dedicated fan base, and what messages do you want to convey to your supporters?
Princess: I love that they were there for me; I know it was tough being that I wasn’t particularly giving what people now call ‘content,’ which is drama and toxicity. I know it felt like swimming against the tides. But I’m happy they voted, and the votes counted; at least I wasn’t with the least votes.
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