Former Big Brother Naija housemate, Seyi Awolowo, has revealed that he deliberately tried to keep his family identity hidden when he auditioned for the reality television show in 2019, saying he wanted to be judged on his own merit rather than his famous surname.
Speaking on The Nigeria Meter Podcast, the grandson of the late Nigerian nationalist and statesman, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, said he never intended for fellow contestants to know about his family background while in the house.
According to him, his plan changed the moment the show’s host, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, announced his full name during his introduction on stage.
“I didn’t want anybody to know I was an Awolowo in the house. I didn’t want the housemates in particular to know that’s 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 his intention had been to participate in the competition simply as “Seyi,” without the weight or expectations that came with his surname.
