When the ninth edition of Big Brother Africa begins today it will be with two Nigerian housemates Lilian and Tayo. Tagged Hotshots this year it ought to have started in September but for a fire that gutted the Big Brother house on September 2. M-Net and Endemol SA, organisers of the annual reality television show have since found a new house in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Big Brother Hotshots will now officially launch today at 19:00 CAT.
The producers have since expressed their thanks to fans far and wide for all the patience and continuous support since the fire incidence.
Lilian, 22, known as SexyLeeLee to her friends, is a model, actor, presenter, and tax collector! She entered Big Brother Hotshots for “the platform it provides and the publicity that comes with it, and the money”. She said she is not willing to sell herself short to win the grand prize. If she does win, however, she will invest in her talk show, which is about “helping up-and-coming talents” and get herself a house.
Lilian’s favourite foods are rice and plantain and she likes watching Baggage on TV and listening to 2Face Idibia. She does not have a favourite book, but likes movies like Think Like A Man, Blended, Friends With Benefits, Bridesmaids and 12 Years A Slave. Her favourite actor is Angelina Jolie, because “she is creative and can switch between roles”.
Her favourite place in Nigeria is Lagos, and she says the best thing about Africa is its cultural diversity. Outside her home country, she would like to visit California for the opportunities she believes it would provide her to improve her career.
Lilian’s role model is Oprah Winfrey, “because of her strength”, and the person who has most influenced her life is her mother, “because she has always believed in me and encouraged me to follow my dreams”.
She describes herself as ‘spontaneous, easy-going, focussed and confident’ and says her best assets are that she’s ambitious, a good listener, flexible, persuasive, competitive, independent and original.
Tayo, on the other hand, is 28, a model with a Higher National Diploma in Maritime Studies. He lists his favourite foods as eba an okra soup mixed with fish stew, his favourite musicians are: 2Face Idibia, Beautiful Nubia and D’Banj.
Tayo says his favourite place in Nigeria is Oyo Town, his place of birth. “That’s my home, where I started life. It reminds me of who I am now and how far I have come in life,” he said. He says the best thing about Africa is ‘culture and pride’ and that his favourite place outside of Nigeria is South Africa, which he calls his ‘home away from home’.
He entered Big Brother Hotshots because he believes in himself, and was also encouraged to enter by others.
“I like to be seen and to be heard,” he said. Tayo explained that he is not willing to change who he is or disgrace his family and friends to impress viewers or his fellow Housemates. If Tayo wins the grand prize, he says he’ll, set up his life and give himself a life of luxury.
