‘I hated my birth name Blessing’ — BBNaija winner Phyna opens up on painful childhood - Newstrends
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‘I hated my birth name Blessing’ — BBNaija winner Phyna opens up on painful childhood

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Ijeoma Josephina Otabor fondly known as Phyna
Ijeoma Josephina Otabor fondly known as Phyna

‘I hated my birth name Blessing’ — BBNaija winner Phyna opens up on painful childhood

Big Brother Naija winner Phyna has opened up about her painful upbringing, revealing why she dislikes the birth name given to her by her parents and how her difficult childhood shaped the person she is today.

The BBNaija Season 7 “Level Up” winner, whose real name is Ijeoma Josephina Otabor, said she was originally named Blessing, but grew to resent the name because it did not reflect the reality of her early life.

Speaking in a recent interview, the reality television star said the name felt disconnected from her experiences growing up, noting that she struggled with emotional hardship and often felt deprived of the love and support many children received from their families.

According to Phyna, her childhood was filled with moments where she constantly sought validation from family members, friends and romantic partners, but frequently ended up feeling rejected or criticised.

“The name given to me by my parents is Blessing. My reason for hating that name was that I don’t see a sense of blessing in my life. It felt like I was always begging for love — family love, friendship, even in relationships,” she said.

The reality TV star described her upbringing as extremely difficult, explaining that she missed out on several opportunities that many of her peers enjoyed while growing up.

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She also revealed that some of the people around her used the name as a way to mock or criticise her, which further deepened her dislike for it.

Despite the painful experiences, Phyna said she remained determined to change the course of her life. She recalled repeatedly telling her relatives that she would one day become famous and financially successful, even when they doubted her.

Growing up, she said she endured harsh treatment from some extended family members but remained confident that she would eventually achieve her dreams.

Phyna also revealed that she started working at a young age to support herself and her family. She previously shared that she helped out at her aunt’s restaurant as a child and even missed about two years of secondary school while taking care of her father after he was involved in a serious accident.

Those experiences, she said, forced her to become independent early in life and develop a strong survival instinct.

In 2022, Phyna rose to national prominence after emerging winner of Big Brother Naija Season 7, popularly known as the “Level Up” edition, beating other finalists to claim the ₦100 million grand prize.

Since winning BBNaija, the Edo-born star has built a career as a media personality, actress and brand influencer, gaining a large fan base across Nigeria and beyond.

She has also previously spoken about strained family relationships, announcing in 2024 that she had decided to drop her family surname Otabor due to long-standing feelings of rejection.

Reflecting on her journey, Phyna said her difficult past continues to motivate her to succeed, adding that the struggles she faced while growing up helped shape her resilience and determination.

‘I hated my birth name Blessing’ — BBNaija winner Phyna opens up on painful childhood

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Adunni Ade Reveals Christian Fans Unfollowed Her After Publicly Identifying as Muslim

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Adunni Ade Reveals Christian Fans Unfollowed Her After Publicly Identifying as Muslim
Adunni Ade

Adunni Ade Reveals Christian Fans Unfollowed Her After Publicly Identifying as Muslim

Nollywood actress Adunni Ade has opened up about the reaction she received after publicly identifying as a Muslim, revealing that some of her Christian fans unfollowed her because of her religious identity.

The actress said she initially found it difficult to openly discuss her faith because of what she described as the pressures associated with being a public figure in the Nollywood industry.

According to Ade, publicly identifying as a Muslim within the Nigerian film industry can be difficult, and she described the situation as “almost forbidden” based on her personal experience.

She explained that she eventually became tired of keeping her religious identity private and decided to be open about her faith.

Ade said the decision came with consequences, including losing some followers and receiving messages from people who questioned her choice.

“Some people unfollowed me. I got DMs from people trying to cast out spirits. Some people prayed for me,” she said while discussing her experience.

However, the actress added that she also received considerable support from Muslims, many of whom welcomed her more warmly after she publicly acknowledged her faith.

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Ade stressed that her decision to practise Islam should not be interpreted as an attack on Christianity or Christians.

She said she had experienced both Christian and Muslim religious environments and was not suggesting that Christianity was a bad religion. Rather, she explained that Islam was the faith that worked for her personally.

The actress’ comments have renewed attention on her long-standing and publicly discussed religious journey, which has included experiences with both Christianity and Islam.

Ade had previously spoken about her faith in 2020, explaining that she was born and raised Muslim but grew up in a family where different religious traditions were represented.

She said her father allowed his children to choose their preferred religion, while members of her extended family included both Christians and Muslims.

The actress also disclosed that she attended different Christian churches, including Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Christ Living Apostolic Ministry (CLAM) and Christ Apostolic Church (CAC).

Ade said she later returned to Islam on December 31, 2016, after reflecting on her religious identity and concerns about how people might react to her decision.

She said at the time that returning to Islam made her feel happier and more fulfilled.

Her religious identity also came under renewed public discussion in 2026 after she was seen attending an event at a Celestial Church of Christ in Lagos.

Following questions from social media users about whether she had returned to Christianity, Ade clarified that she remained a practising Muslim.

She explained that her presence at the church-related event was connected to her professional relationship with the celebrant and was not evidence of a change in her religion.

Ade’s latest comments therefore provide further context to a faith journey she has discussed publicly over several years.

While describing her experience as difficult at times, she maintained that her decision to openly identify as a Muslim was ultimately a personal one.

Her statement that being openly Muslim in Nollywood is “almost forbidden” reflects her personal experience and perception; it should not be taken as evidence of a formal industry-wide rule restricting actors from publicly identifying with a particular religion.

The actress’ disclosure has also highlighted the wider challenges public figures can face when personal beliefs become subjects of public discussion, particularly in an industry where celebrities often maintain diverse fan bases with different religious and cultural backgrounds.

Adunni Ade Reveals Christian Fans Unfollowed Her After Publicly Identifying as Muslim

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BREAKING: Olu Jacobs Dies at 84, Atiku Mourns Cultural Icon

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BREAKING: Olu Jacobs Dies at 84, Atiku Mourns Cultural Icon

 

Veteran Nigerian actor and film executive, Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, has died at the age of 84, with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar describing the late Nollywood icon as “an institution” and “a cultural icon” whose contribution helped shape Nigeria’s creative industry.

Jacobs’ death was announced on Wednesday, September 16, by his son, Olusoji Jacobs, who described the celebrated actor as “The Lion of Lufodo” and called on bloggers and social media influencers to respect the family’s privacy as they mourn.

“It is with gratitude to God for a life well lived and fought, that we announce the passing of our dear husband, father, grandfather and uncle. The Lion of Lufodo,” Olusoji said in the announcement.

Reacting to the death, Atiku said Nigeria had lost far more than a great actor, describing Jacobs as “an institution, a cultural icon and one of the finest ambassadors of our creative spirit.”

The former vice president said Jacobs had become part of the collective memory of generations of Nigerians through his distinctive voice, commanding performances and decades of dedication to his craft.

According to Atiku, Jacobs was already making his mark internationally before Nollywood emerged as a global phenomenon, and his career helped lay foundations for the Nigerian film industry while inspiring younger generations of actors.

“The curtain may have fallen on an extraordinary life, but the characters he gave us, the standards he set and the generations he inspired will continue to speak for him,” Atiku said.

He expressed condolences to Jacobs’ wife, veteran actress Joke Silva, their children and the wider Jacobs family, as well as members of Nollywood and the African creative community.

Atiku said Jacobs “gave Nigeria his talent, his voice and a lifetime of excellence,” adding that the country would remember him with pride, affection and gratitude.

Jacobs, whose career spanned theatre, British television, international film and Nollywood, was trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. He became one of Nigeria’s most recognisable screen and stage actors and was associated with the development of the Nigerian film industry.

His death marks the end of a career spanning more than five decades and has already triggered tributes from political figures, actors and other members of Nigeria’s entertainment industry.

 

 

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Shimmer and Style: Zendaya, Selena Gomez, and Colman Domingo Light Up the Emmys Red Carpet

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Shimmer and Style: Zendaya, Selena Gomez, and Colman Domingo Light Up the Emmys Red Carpet

From custom metallics to soft pastels and playful statuette cosplay, television’s top stars bring high fashion to Los Angeles

Top television stars gathered in Los Angeles on Monday evening for the annual Emmy Awards, showcasing an array of creative outfits and modern styles.

The ceremony, often described as television’s version of the Oscars, brought actors together at the Peacock Theater to celebrate the year’s best performances and share memorable fashion choices with fans worldwide.

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Shimmering gold and silver fabrics were popular choices throughout the arrival walk. Zendaya chose an embroidered silver gown by Prada paired with diamond earrings, while Selena Gomez appeared in a fitted, floor-length gold dress by Louis Vuitton.

The host for the night, Mariska Hargitay, wore a bright red gown with a trailing design, attending alongside her daughter in matching styles that paid tribute to her mother, actor Jayne Mansfield.

Other guests chose calm, lighter colors such as soft lavender, sky blue, and gentle green. Actors Elle Fanning and Sarah Pidgeon selected simple, elegant slip dresses that focused on subtle beading and clean silhouettes.

Menswear also showed fresh variety, with Colman Domingo combining a tailored jacket with a colorful waist sash. Adding humor and fun to the red carpet, actor Meg Stalter appeared dressed as the winged Emmy trophy itself, bringing a lighthearted touch to the celebration.

Shimmer and Style: Zendaya, Selena Gomez, and Colman Domingo Light Up the Emmys Red Carpet

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