Many of them may have been talented. But it took reality shows for Nigerians to discover them. On the shows, they demonstrated their prowess and won the hearts of millions.
Here are celebrities who came to the limelight through reality show:
1. Niniola:
Niniola Apata, who is popularly known as Niniola, is a singer and songwriter. She was born December 15, 1986 in Lagos State. She graduated from the University of Lagos where she earned a Bachelor’s of Education Certificate.
Niniola hit the limelight after she finished as the third runner-up in the sixth season of project fame West Africa. She has released many singles, including Ibadi (2014); Maradona (2017); Addicted (2020) and so on.
2. Ebuka Obi Uchendu:
Ebuka was a housemate on the first season of the Big Brother Naija reality show. Although he finished in the eighth position, he has carved a niche for himself in the entertainment industry and is one of the most successful products of this reality show. He has also risen from being a former housemate of the Big Brother Nigeria show to a host of the reality show.
Ebuka is known for hosting the reality show Big Brother Naija, the long running Rubbin’ Minds talk show on Channels TV as well as co-hosting The Spot and Men’s Corner on Ebonylife Television.
Obi-Uchendu has received several award nominations and won the award for Outstanding TV Presenter of the Year at the Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards for his work on Rubbin’ Minds.
3. Nengi:
Rebecca Nengi Hampson aka Nengi is an entrepreneur and a former housemate of the Big Brother Naija reality show. She graduated from the University of Port- Harcourt where she obtained a Degree in Communication.
Nengi was brought into the limelight after she emerged as the 2nd runner up in the Big Brother season 5 reality TV show. After the show, she has won so many awards, nominations and endorsement deals to her credit. She has featured in movies like Rattlesnake and so on.
4. Chike:
Chike-Ezekpeazu Osebuka aka Chike is a singer songwriter and actor. He was born January 28, 1994 in Lagos State. He was brought into the limelight after he participated in the project fame West Africa and after that he finished as second place on season 1 of the Voice Nigeria.
Last year, he received his 14 track album titled Boo of the Booless.
5. Amarachi:
Amarachi Uyanne aka Amarachi is a teenage singer and dancer. She was born July 17, 2004. She is studying in Benson Idahosa University. She was brought into the limelight after she won the maiden edition of Nigeria’s Got Talent.
6. Chidinma Ekile:
Chidinma Ekile is a gospel singer and songwriter. She was born May 2, 1991. She graduated from the University of Lagos where she obtained a Bachelor’s in Sociology.
In 2010, Chidinma was brought into the limelight after she won the third season of project fame West Africa.
7. Tonto Dikeh:
Tonto Dikeh emerged first runner-up in the 2005 edition of “The Next Movie Star”. It opened up an array of opportunities for her in Nollywood.
8. Iyanya:
Iyanya Onoyom Mbuk aka Iyanya became a star after winning the first season of the MTN Project Fame West Africa TV show.
9. Omawumi Megbele:
Omawumi became recognised in 2007 when she emerged as the first runner-up on the first edition of West African Idols music competition, a reality TV show part of the Idols franchise. This set the ball rolling for her when her first single ‘In The Music’ endeared music lovers to her.
10. Uti Nwachukwu:
Uti Nwachukwu rose to limelight after winning the Big Brother Africa 5. Prior to this, he first participated in the Next Movie Star show before trying his luck at the Big Brother Africa Show in 2008 where he was evicted after 42 days. But in 2010, he was re-invited as a contestant to the Big Brother Africa 5 which he eventually won.
11. Yemi Alade:
Yemi gained prominence after winning the Peak Talent Show in 2009 and is best kno
