Former Big Brother Naija star Seyi Awolowo has revealed that he initially hoped to keep his famous family background hidden when he auditioned for the reality TV show in 2019.
Speaking during an interview on The Nigeria Meter Podcast, Seyi, who is the grandson of late Nigerian nationalist Chief Obafemi Awolowo, said he wanted to be judged solely on his personality and abilities rather than his surname.
According to him, his plan fell apart the moment the show’s host, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, introduced him by his full name during the live launch.
“I didn’t want anybody to know I was an Awolowo in the house. I didn’t want the housemates, in particular, to know who I was. But when I got to the stage and Ebuka called ‘Seyi Awolowo,’ that’s when everyone knew,” he said.
Seyi explained that he had intended to compete using only his first name to avoid the expectations and attention that came with being an Awolowo.
“My plan was just to be there as Seyi, but immediately he mentioned it, everything changed,” he added.
He also dismissed claims that his family name gave him any special treatment during the selection process, stressing that he went through the same rigorous audition as every other contestant.
“I did the audition like everyone else. I stood in line, and I didn’t get my golden ticket until about 3 a.m. on the third day of February that year,” he said.
Recounting his audition experience, Seyi said he attended with a friend, while one of his stepbrothers also came for the audition but arrived too late to participate.
“Me and my friend went for the audition. One of my stepbrothers also came, but he got there late,” he recalled.
Seyi was one of the contestants in the 2019 edition of Big Brother Naija, where he emerged as one of the most talked-about housemates during the season.
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