Big Brother Naija star, Chichi Okoebor Opens Up About Her Life Journey in a Candid Interview with Chude Jideonwo on #WithChude
In a heartfelt and revealing conversation, reality TV star Chinenyenwa ‘Chichi’ Okoebor sat down with Chude Jideonwo, the host of the renowned #WithChude show, to delve into the intricate details of her life story.
The conversation covered her challenging upbringing, her experiences at the Big Brother Reunion, her unexpected foray into the world of stripping, and her ongoing journey towards forgiveness.
Chichi, known for her unapologetic demeanor, shared her perspective on the highly publicized altercation during the Big Brother Reunion. She offered insight into the strength that has always been a part of her, saying,
“What people don’t know is that I grew up alone, and I literally raised myself. There is nothing that I have not faced in life before now, the worst things that could happen to a girl child happened to me and the last time I checked, I won.”
Chichi, often perceived as aloof, shed light on the misconceptions about her personality, stating,
“My mindset for coming to the reunion was to go and clear many things that were said about me. People have the mindset that I don’t mingle, but I think I am just overprotective and that is the part they have refused to see. Whenever I am vulnerable, they see me as the weak link they can poke on.”
She further elaborated on her reluctance to engage in confrontations within the Big Brother house, explaining,
“Whenever this happens in the house, it is not because I cannot react, it is that I am scared of myself that if I react I am going to get disqualified. I saw the show as a pathway to upliftment, so I told myself, ‘Chi calm down’. People thought I was shy and, in my shell, but I was just protective of myself and of the show which was important.”
Chichi’s time after the reunion was marked by a battle with depression. She revealed,
“After the reunion, I was depressed. For a very long time, I deactivated my socials. Even now sometimes I am on, and sometimes I am off. It is not easy for me, I manage every situation by myself. Sometimes I just want to sit back and take it one step at a time so I won’t lose my mind.”
The dispute between Chichi and fellow contestant Phyna during the reunion also drew significant attention. Chichi expressed her surprise at the nature of Phyna’s comments, stating,
“The way Phyna came felt so scripted for me because she was asked a question, and she said, ‘your mama died, you have silicone on brain in your boobies’. Why did she have to go that far? Also, there is a difference between Silicon and BBL. I feel like she had already planned it. I was dumbfounded.”
Chichi clarified misconceptions about her relationship with Phyna, asserting,
“People think because we were roomies one week before the lockdown, I told her all those things. First, we never had such a discussion, what we always discussed was what we were going to do on the show, how we were going to be besties and defend each other.”
Before her stint on Big Brother Naija, Chichi held a profound motive for participating in the show. She shared, “Before I went on the show, I remember telling the organizers that I don’t know which of them picked me, but whoever that person is, God bless that person. I remember telling them that one of my reasons for going to the Big Brother Naija house was to make Nigerians know that stripping does not make you a whore. It’s just another means of making quick money. You don’t really have to sleep around to make money as a stripper or an exotic dancer.”
Chichi’s aspiration was to break stereotypes and help people understand the profession of stripping. She explained,
“I wanted Nigerians to also relate with strippers and their lifestyle. I don’t know if I was able to achieve that, but I’m a homely girl. If you actually watch the show, you will understand that I’m not perfect. I can be a badass.”
Chichi’s life journey has been marked by hardship, including a tumultuous childhood. She recounted, “I have never for once thought about what people will start saying. Because when I used to think of that, I was a nobody until I started thinking less of that and started working hard.”
She opened up about her upbringing, saying,
“I had suffered several mishaps as a girl child, and I never felt loved. After my father passed at a young age, I moved in with my father’s best friend from where I had to run after a while. I also spoke about learning to forgive my mum, whom she said never really looked for her, and how that can be difficult whenever she imagines how life would have been different for her if her mom was in the picture.”
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Chinenyenwa ‘Chichi’ Okoebor’s interview with Chude Jideonwo offers a glimpse into the complexities of her life journey, providing a deeper understanding of the reality TV star beyond the headlines. Her resilience and determination continue to inspire many, while her commitment to breaking stereotypes remains unwavering.