MAKE UNA KEEP DECEIVING UNA SEF WITH BRAND DEALS” PHYNA REACTS TO TOCHI’S ADVICE TO BBNAIJA EX HOUSEMATES

BBNaija winner Phyna has weighed in on fellow reality TV star Tochi’s advice to former housemates experiencing financial difficulties, saying they should look beyond celebrity status and find other ways to make money.

The conversation started after Tochi advised former Big Brother Naija housemates struggling financially to drop what he described as the celebrity mentality and hustle rather than depending entirely on the fame that comes with appearing on the reality show.

Reacting to his comments, Phyna said she had long questioned the expectation that former housemates should simply embrace the celebrity label, focus on building a public image and wait for endorsement opportunities.

“Finally someone said it. I thought they said we are stars and them dey build brand, and that you have to just carry celebrity on your head and wait for one brand deal,” Phyna wrote.

The reality TV star also criticised the pressure placed on former BBNaija contestants to demonstrate their success through expensive lifestyles and major brand endorsement announcements.

According to Phyna, the figures associated with some endorsement deals may not necessarily reflect what the celebrity eventually receives.

She argued that after management commissions and other expenses are deducted, some former housemates may be left with significantly less money than the amounts announced publicly.

“Make una keep deceiving una sef with brand deals,” she said.

Her comments have reopened a wider conversation about the financial realities of life after Big Brother Naija.

While appearing on one of Africa’s biggest reality television programmes can provide contestants with enormous exposure and millions of social media followers, maintaining that visibility after leaving the house can come with significant financial pressure.

Former contestants are often expected to maintain expensive lifestyles, attend high profile events and project an image of financial success even when consistent income may not be guaranteed.

Tochi’s advice appears to challenge that culture by encouraging former housemates to pursue businesses, employment and other legitimate sources of income rather than depending solely on celebrity status and endorsement deals.

Phyna’s reaction suggests she shares similar concerns about the expectations surrounding BBNaija stars after the cameras stop rolling.

The discussion has since generated reactions among fans, with some agreeing that reality TV personalities should diversify their income while others argue that building a strong personal brand can itself create long term business opportunities.

The debate raises a bigger question about reality television fame in Nigeria.

Should former BBNaija housemates concentrate on maintaining their celebrity image, or should more of them openly return to regular businesses and other forms of work when the endorsement deals stop coming?

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