Maria Chike Benjamin, a former participant in the reality TV show ‘Big Brother Naija: Shine Ya Eye,’ has shared her challenging experience after leaving the house in 2021, particularly highlighting the mental difficulties she faced.
During an episode with #Chude, Maria candidly discussed her journey, including her audition for BBNaija and the obstacles she encountered in 2020.
“The year 2020 was incredibly tough for me. I found myself questioning what my next step would be, and at that time, I didn’t know much about Big Brother. Initially, I hesitated when some friends encouraged me to give it a shot. However, I eventually made up my mind because I had future goals to pursue, and I thought this platform could be the opportunity I needed,” Maria revealed.
She went on to share that she didn’t inform her family about her decision to participate in Big Brother because she was aware of the negative stereotypes associated with reality shows in Nigeria. Maria explained, “I knew they would question my true intentions for being on such a platform. They might have associated it with the trashy portrayal of reality shows in the UK, with people constantly fighting and using foul language. That’s the impression they would have had.”
Reflecting on her experience within the Big Brother Naija house, Maria expressed her uncertainty about what would come next. “I didn’t anticipate the aftermath or even moving back to Nigeria. It felt like everything was thrust upon me. When I finally left the house, I found myself in a mentally challenging phase of life. Coping with the newfound ‘so-called’ fame was overwhelming. It was like starting all over again at the end of 2021,” she shared.
In addition to her reality TV journey, Maria opened up about her relationship with her late father following her parents’ divorce and how she was navigating the grieving process.
Very impressive 👍