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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

I endured three years of online insults after BBNaija: Erica

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Reality TV star Erica Nlewedim revealed she endured three years of intense online insults after appearing on Big Brother Naija.
  • The constant criticism led to anxiety, prompting her to seek therapy and take a year-long break from acting in 2024.
  • While acknowledging the financial benefits of the show, she stated she would not participate again due to the emotional toll.

Erica Nlewedim, a former housemate on the reality show Big Brother Naija (BBNaija), has disclosed the severe emotional toll the show took on her, revealing she faced three years of relentless online insults and criticism.

I was getting like three years of back-to-back insults. I had to see a therapist because of that show.

— Erica NlewedimNlewedim describing the impact of online criticism following her appearance on Big Brother Naija.

Nlewedim shared in an interview on 'Toke Moment' that the persistent negativity on social media significantly impacted her mental health. "I was getting like three years of back-to-back insults. I had to see a therapist because of that show," she stated. The constant stream of notifications and comments on platforms like Instagram led to heightened anxiety, an experience she found deeply distressing.

At first, I didn’t know that it was getting to me. It was like after three years of back-to-back insults.

— Erica NlewedimNlewedim explaining her delayed realization of how the criticism was affecting her.

To cope with the emotional aftermath, Nlewedim decided to take a hiatus from acting in 2024, dedicating the year to personal recovery and addressing issues she hadn't previously recognized. "I just decided to take a break in 2024. It was just last year I decided to start coming back. I’m happy I did that because there were a lot of things that I didn’t even realise were affecting me," she explained.

I just decided to take a break in 2024. It was just last year I decided to start coming back. I’m happy I did that because there were a lot of things that I didn’t even realise were affecting me.

— Erica NlewedimNlewedim discussing her decision to take a break from acting to focus on her mental health.

Despite the challenging experience, Nlewedim acknowledged the positive financial impact the reality show had on her life. However, she firmly stated her reluctance to participate in such a show again. "I’ll never go to a show like Big Brother Naija again in my life. I’m happy I did it because, of course, it changed my life money-wise, but I’m never doing it again if I’m given the opportunity," she said. Her revelation sheds light on the lasting challenges former reality TV contestants can face due to sustained public scrutiny and online criticism.

I’ll never go to a show like Big Brother Naija again in my life. I’m happy I did it because, of course, it changed my life money-wise, but I’m never doing it again if I’m given the opportunity.

— Erica NlewedimNlewedim expressing her mixed feelings about Big Brother Naija, acknowledging its benefits but vowing not to return.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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