Uriel in a video message on her social media page said there was no rule on how to win a reality TV show
By Kehinde Okeowo
Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) reality star, Uriel Oputa, has argued that the winner of the 8th edition of the reality show, Ilebaye Odiniya did not win because of “pity votes”, as it is being speculated in some quarters.
Ilebaye, on Sunday, October 1, became only the second person from Northern Nigeria to win the reality show after Kaduna-born Katung Aduwak won the first edition in 2006.
However, after the Kogi State-born model was declared winner, some Nigerians, including former BBNaija star Nina accused her of emotionally blackmailing viewers to vote for her.
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Rising in defence of Ilebaye via a video message on her social media page, Uriel argued there was no rule on how to win a reality TV show.
She then added that some people won the show by forming relationships, some won because of their star power, while others won because of how they were treated by their colleagues.
She said: “Can we just let this narrative that Baye won out of pity go? Let me ask you, is there a type of way to win a show, a game show?
“Some people win by forming relationships. Some people win because they are looked upon as being powerful. Some people win because certain things were done to them, and they reacted.
“Does it really matter how a person won a game? It’s a game.”
Meanwhile, Ilebaye on Sunday revealed what she would do with the prize money she won.
While fielding questions from the host, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, she revealed she would use the N120million prize money she won to build an “empire”.
Ebuka asked: “Congratulations. What are you going to do with the N120 million you just won?”
Replying Ilebaye said: “I will use it to build my empire.”
Ebuka further inquired: “What’s the name of your empire?” to which she replied: “Gen Z Baddie!”