Big Brother house is a positive prison – Nkenna : Why she changed her name to Nkenna

Trust Entertainment: What’s your full name? Nkenna: My full name is Chinonso Iwuagwu. Trust Entertainment: So, where did “Nkenna” come from? Nkenna: It was my script name! Like I say, I acted in a movie called Big Brother 2: The Revolution, Big Brother Africa. That’s the name of my movie. So I wrote a script […]

Trust Entertainment: What’s your full name?

Nkenna: My full name is Chinonso Iwuagwu.

Trust Entertainment: So, where did “Nkenna” come from?

Nkenna: It was my script name! Like I say, I acted in a movie called Big Brother 2: The Revolution, Big Brother Africa. That’s the name of my movie. So I wrote a script and I acted as Nkenna!

Trust Entertainment: You mean all that happened in Big Brother Africa wasn’t you?

Nkenna: Most of them, yes. It was like a strategy, but part of it was Chinonso.

Trust Entertainment: But was it that Big Brother asked you to use pseudonyms?

Nkenna: No. But we had a contract where aliases were allowed; strategies were allowed; all those full expression were allowed; unlike other editions of Big Brother Africa. Therefore, we knew it was going to be a thick and tough competition. Most people came in with different strategies. At first, I planned a different strategy but when I came into the house, I saw stronger strategies than mine so I had to look for relevant strategy. But before then I was asked what name I would like to use, and I chose Nkenna. Nkenna is the name I was called when I was young; it is not in any of my certificates or any of my data; nothing. Even my friends keep asking me why the change of my name? I keep telling them you won’t understand, it’s a long story. Nkem Owoh is known as Osuofia, which has become his name. So I used Nkenna in that movie– I call it ‘movie’ as most people were not using their real names. So many people put up so many things to gain attention.

Trust Entertainment: So, at what point did you write your ‘script’? Was it when you were selected or when you applied?

Nkenna: Before I applied I already had some information from people on how to play the game. I had never been on TV before so it was going to be a little difficult for me. I didn’t even think I was going to go. At a point, I started telling people ‘This is what I’m going to do,’ especially my close friends, ‘I’m going to forge so many things’. Luckily, I was called and told I made it. My friends told me I was going to win this one. In my mind, I thought I had my game. My sisters would tell me, “Remember Ofunneka; she use to cook and do this and that.” But when I got to the house and there were twelve girls in the kitchen I knew I had to look for something else because everyone want to be seen as domesticated at the same time. I said to myself, ‘I can’t deceive myself; I’m not a kitchen person.’ I love cooking but I’m no a kitchen person. So I had to come up with something else, sort of, my own lies, my own stories that will pick a lot of interest from a whole lot of people.

I love making friends but in my kind of person I have this attitude where I am watchful. I’m very careful about people but because I’m going to meet many people I have to open up and try to mix up easily. My sisters use to tell me that I should try to be proud of myself, that I act like I’m not happy as I am. That I behave like someone with a complex. I told myself I was going to do this Big Brother and I did it.

Trust Entertainment: And you kept saying you wanted to stay in the house as long as you could?

Nkenna: Yes, because of the relevance, even if I didn’t win the money I didn’t want to be forgotten. For instance, after the show, if we went into a mall with Geraldine, the first thing they would do is shout “See Nkenna!” and that’s what I wanted. All this is because what I want to do now is based on the fact that people now know me because ‘Nkenna’ still resounds in their memory. So even if I lose the money I don’t what to lose my focus. I believe that everything will just work.

Trust Entertainment: So what are you planning now after Big Brother?

Nkenna: I just want to do everything about kids. I want to work with kids. I want to bring a concept where my kids will perform house dance, samba, cha-cha, mimes and raise up talent. Some of the kids will come out and do creative things. Some of the kids will come to teach people bead making, go out for visitation with gifts to meet other kids. So I want to make it look like a club, a kids’ zone. I just want to work with kids of age 6-16; we would go out to shows and organise parties.

Trust Entertainment: You seem to be concern about social relevance, but Big Brother as a show is criticised for immorality!

Nkenna: According to Big Brother, we were told never to convince people on what Big Brother is all about. Outside the audition when going to the house, we went through a series of talks, like advice. Even though they have their reason for the show, we were told never to convince anybody about the show. We allow people to have the right to their own opinion.

Trust Entertainment: What do think is the use of the Big Brother reality show in our society?

Nkenna: It depends. They help in building people… It depends on the individual. Some people go for the experience; some for the money, and most people go for the fame, especially those who want to go to the entertainment industry full time. For me I went there for the fame. The relevance is broad.

Trust Entertainment: So if one of your kids said, “I want to go to Big Brother,” what would you say?

Nkenna: I wouldn’t discourage them but I would make them see the advantages and disadvantages. If they feel they can, then it is okay. In my case I only saw the good side and did not look at the bad side. My sister once asked me, “Will I be able to live the life of a celebrity? It’s very difficult.” It is really difficult. Some people told me it will bring out the worst in you and not the best, while for others, it will bring out the best and not the worst. For some people it will bring them down. For me I knew what I went for otherwise I would have been down as well. I had a purpose and lived up to it as I had promised my family. I used criticism in a positive light.

Trust Entertainment: Did you see the messages people pasted?

Nkenna: No. My family recorded the whole show for me. On my Facebook people would send stinkers. I prefer the criticism because it makes me more focused to come out and show people who you are within a short period of time. I appreciated people’s criticisms and thanked them.

Trust Entertainment: For the three months you were there, were you in contact with people?

Nkenna: No. No communication, no contacts. It was like prison but we were well fed. It is better to view the show than be in it. If I had known, I wouldn’t have gone even if the money was doubled. I just had only the comfort. The only thing is it exposed us to challenges, like life’s challenges. If you want something you have to strive to get it. It is a positive prison.

Trust Entertainment: If I was one of your kids you mentoring now and I had to come to you for advice can I hear your statement of advice?

Nkenna: “There are better things to do if you are going into entertainment you have to look for that fame first. There are so many ways to look for money; it all depends on the individual. The celebrity life is not easy. There is nothing as good as having your own privacy. I went to market with my sister once I could not even buy anything because of the crowd.” As for the kid, we won’t be talking about Big Brother. I’m working on shows that will bring out talent in them. This is something I’ve not seen in Nigeria. Most are often adult shows. It is for kids and adults will also come. We will organise show that feature lots of performing artistes, like P-square, and there will dancing, talk shows and cultural dances.

Trust Entertainment- Who are you?

Nkenna:  Like I earlier mentioned my name. I am from a family of nine, eight girls and a boy. I was brought up in Imo state. My mum is late. I have a step mum whom I love so much; I love my family and they are always by my side in everything. I want to always make people to smile even if at first meeting. I love down-to-earth people because I am a down-to-earth person, interesting to be with and love fun a lot. I went to school Federal University of Agriculture, Umuahia, and did my secondary education in FGC Owerri. I have been in Abuja since 2005, till now. Abuja is cool and quiet. I want to make Abuja a different entertainment area because this is the capital. I really want to do things in Abuja and not leave everything to Lagos.

Trust Entertainment: How is your relationship with Kelvin?

Nkenna:  I just spoke to him a few minutes ago and we want to work together. We are trying to form some sort of alliance to move from one African country to another to talk to people about HIV and malaria. We have kept that for next year [2010]. We will also be writing proposals for sponsorship and make trips to remote areas. We talk to them about sex education and have open shows. We want to start from area high rates of HIV.  We intend to make trips to South Africa, Gambia, Ivory Coast and within Nigeria. Our team is five big finalists.

Trust Entertainment: How old are you?

Nkenna: I’m twenty-three.

Trust Entertainment: What do you hope to do with your life, like marriage?

Nkenna: I tell people I don’t have a boyfriend because it will certainly give me divided attention. If I was to go for Big Brother he will say ‘No’. For now if I can build something for myself then I can have divided attention. It will require I satisfy him and make him happy. I have guys as friends and perhaps from next year I will start thinking about my love life and who I want to marry. I want to concentrate from now till next year on getting something established before I can think of my love life.  There is nothing as good as building a home with your husband. Today, no one wants to marry a lazy woman. Being an independent woman is the greatest thing now. The Nigerian economy is so bad.