By Aderinola Abimbola
For many reality TV stars, life after the BBNaija house opens the doors for brand deals and social media influence, for others, it ushers them into the world of acting and filmmaking in the Nollywood industry.
Over the years, we have witnessed many ex-housemates take on acting roles and establish themselves as recognisable faces on Nigerian screens.
Here are 10 former BBNaija stars who are making their mark in Nollywood.
1. Tobi Bakre
Nigerian actor Tobi Bakre has become one of the biggest acting success stories to emerge from BBNaija. Although he finished as the second runner-up in the 2018 edition, Bakre has steadily built an acting career, moving from television roles to major film productions.
He has starred in major productions like Sugar Rush, Brotherhood, Gangs of Lagos, Farmer’s Bride and Postcards. He has also earned major industry recognition, including an AMVCA Best Actor win.
2. Bisola Aiyeola
Nollywood actress Bisola Aiyeola had already begun building a career in entertainment before venturing into the BBNaija house. However, her appearance on the 2017 edition of the reality show significantly expanded her visibility.
Since her time on the reality show, she has become one of the most consistent BBNaija alumni in Nollywood. Her appearances in movies include Sugar Rush, The Bling Lagosians, This Lady Called Life, Introducing the Kujus, Breaded Life and A Simple Lie. She has also ventured into film production, showing that her ambitions extend beyond acting.
3. Erica Nlewedim
Erica entered the BBNaija house in 2020 with an acting and modelling background. Her time on the reality TV show, however, turned her into one of the season’s most recognisable personalities. She went on to develop her career, appearing in numerous movies including Hire a Woman, Devil in Agbada, Bitter Rain, The Wig and The Blood Covenant. She has, since her time on BBNaija maintained a presence across both entertainment and film.
4. BamBam
Bamike Olawunmi, popularly known as BamBam, quickly became a household name after appearing on BBNaija’s third season in 2018. After leaving the show, she explored several areas of entertainment, including acting, appearing in Nollywood productions and television projects, gradually establishing herself beyond her reality-TV identity. Her relationship and marriage to her former housemate Teddy A also made her one of the most recognisable BBNaija couples in the entertainment industry.
5. Venita Akpofure
Nollywood sensation Venita Akpofure was already involved in entertainment before entering the BBNaija house in 2019. The show however, introduced her to an even wider audience. Her acting credits include Kambili: The Whole 30 Yards, Unmarried, While You Slept and Losing Control.
6. Alex Unusual
Ex-housemate Alex Asogwa, popularly known as Alex Unusual, has featured in Nollywood productions including Merry Men 2 and Fate of Alakada, while also maintaining careers in presenting, content creation and other entertainment ventures.
7. Saga Adeolu
Saga Adeolu became popular after participating in the sixth season of BBNaija. During the show, he was known for his artistic side and has since explored acting alongside his other creative interests.
8. Gideon Okeke
Gideon Okeke is arguably one of the earliest and most established BBNaija Ex-housemates who transitioned into acting. He appeared on the first season of the reality TV show and went on to become widely known for his role as Philip Ade-Williams in Tinsel. He has also appeared in productions including Gidi Blues, Heaven’s Hell, When Love Happens and 93 Days, for which he received an AMVCA nomination.
9. Teddy A
Teddy A entered BBNaija’s third season with hopes of building a career in music. Acting, however, also became part of his interests as he appeared in productions including The Gift, No Budget, Unsane and Jenifa’s Diary. His journey highlights how some BBNaija alumni have been able to move between music, television and film rather than remain tied to a single entertainment identity.
10. Vee
Victoria Adeyele, popularly known as Vee, is another former housemate who has explored acting alongside her established career in music.
The growing presence of former BBNaija contestants in the Nollywood industry tells us that reality television can serve as more than a temporary platform for fame.
Tobi Bakre, Bisola Aiyeola and Gideon Okeke have demonstrated how far the transition from reality Tv star, to notable Nollywood face, can go.
