By Ohuakanwa Chibuzo
In a recent revelation on her podcast, ‘Spill with Phyna,’ Ijeoma Josephina Otabor, known by her stage name Phyna and winner of the Level Up season of Big Brother Naija, asserted her role in pioneering the presence of hype women in Nigeria.
Before entering the Big Brother house, Phyna stated she was the solitary hype woman in Abuja. However, upon her return from the reality show, she noticed a surge in the number of hype girls in the city. Speaking candidly, she emphasized that her success post-Big Brother Naija inspired others to pursue careers in hyping.
During her podcast episode, Phyna recounted her observations in Ghana, where she encountered numerous hype girls, many of whom followed her on Instagram. She asserted, “Before I went to BBN, I was a hype woman. I used to be in Abuja, and I was the only hype girl in Abuja, and I was getting known. When I went into the show and came out, I started seeing plenty of hype girls.”
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Phyna underscored her pivotal role in setting the stage for others in the industry, emphasizing, “Whether they like it or not, I paved the way for them because it was at that point they realized a hype person can go big.”
Her remarks shed light on the influence of her journey, inspiring a new wave of aspiring hype women not only in Nigeria but also across borders. She addressed the notion of paving the way, stating, “Tomorrow now, somebody would say no one paved the way for me. No, you saw someone do it first, and you wanted to do it. For me, I saw someone do it first before I did it.”
Phyna’s statements illuminate the evolving landscape of entertainment and empowerment for women in Nigeria, highlighting the transformative impact of reality television platforms like Big Brother Naija. As her influence continues to resonate, her journey stands as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring hype women across the continent.