Reality TV shows have enjoyed massive followership in Nigeria while also birthing celebrities in the process.
While some of them may not have clinched the top prize, they have, over the years, proved their worth through their successes and achievements post-show.
Here are 13 of your favorite female celebrities made by reality shows.
1. Omawummi
Omawumi Megbele, who is a graduate of law from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, came second at the first edition of the West African Idols music competition.
After which she released her first single, ‘In The Music,’ which became an instant hit and has won several accolades over the course of her music career.
The lovely mother of two is not letting anything stop her from rising to the peak.
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2. Chidinma
Chidinma Ekile is a Nigerian singer-songwriter, recording artist, and stage performer who rose to stardom after winning the third season of MTN Project Fame West Africa in 2010.
Following the release of the music video for her “Emi Ni Baller” single, she became the first female musician to peak at number 1 on the MTV Base Official Naija Top 10 chart.
She has released songs like “Jangilover,” “Kedike,” “Oh Baby,” and many more.
3. Tonto Dikeh
Tonto Dikeh competed against other contestants on a reality TV show called The Next Movie Star in 2005; she was the first runner-up. Tonto’s start in the Nigerian movie industry began after the maiden edition of this movie reality show, and she has proven that she was worthy of the win.
4. Yemi Alade
Yemi Alade gained prominence after she won the Peak Talent Show in 2009. After that, there was no stopping her as she went on to release her hit single “Johnny.”
She has released top songs like Nagode, Kissing, and many others. Yemi has shown that there is no stopping her.
5. Real Warri Pikin
Not many know this, but before Real Warri Pikin went into comedy, she won the Glo Rock ‘N’ Rule dance competition in 2008. She later returned three years later when she and her family competed on Maltina Dance All, finishing as the second overall best family in 2011.
6. Moyo Lawal
Moyo Lawal was a contestant in the Next Movie Star TV Reality Show, and even though she did not win, she went on to be one of the most sought-after actresses.
7. Bisola Aiyeola
Abisola Aiyeola’s fame began when she contested in the 2008 edition of MTN Project Fame; she, however, came into the limelight after participating and being the 1st runner-up in the Big Brother Naija 2017 TV show.
After that, there was no stopping her as she went on to pursue a career as an actress, becoming more popular for her role in Abimbola Craig’s Skinny Girl In Transit.
The Nigerian-British actress, singer, MC, and presenter is a voice-over artist and a one-time TV host of Billboard Nigeria, which aired on Silverbird Television from 2011 to 2013.
8. Niniola
Niniola wanted the world to hear her voice and to also harness her singing skills at the same time, so she applied for the MTN Project Fame West Africa Competition Season 6 edition in 2013, in which she placed 4th.
Since then, she has gone on to carve a niche for herself in the entertainment industry, releasing hit singles like “Ibadi,” “Maradona,” and “Sicker.”
9. Belinda Effah
Belinda made her first television debut in the 2005 TV series Shallow Waters, after which she took a break from the series to feature in the reality show Next Movie Star, in which she finished in 5th position. Belinda has won several awards over the course of her acting career.
10. Beverly Osu
Beverly Osu is a Nigerian model and video vixen best known as one of the housemates on the eighth season of the reality competition television series Big Brother Africa in 2013.
Ever since, she has done work with concept studios, Clarion Chukwura’s clothing line, music hit videos for the likes of “Over Killing” by Djinee, “Yansh Police” by Timi and Black1, “Boys Are Not Smiling” by Terry D Rapman, “A Woman’s Needs” by Praiz (MTN Project Fame), “OLEKU” by Ice Prince, and many more.
11. Karen Igho
Karen came into the limelight after winning the Big Brother Africa reality show in 2011 with a prize money of $200,000. She is the only female Nigerian who has won the keenly competed reality TV show to date.
After winning, Karen did not stop there. She has delved into various aspects of the entertainment business. She’s featured in a few movies like Blackberry Babe Reloaded and has a show on Najia FM, and now it would appear that Karen is giving music a shot.
12. Ivie Okujaye
Ivie Okujaye is a Nigerian actress, producer, scriptwriter, dancer, singer, and activist who came into the limelight in 2009 after she participated in and won the Amstel Malta Box Office (AMBO) reality TV show.
She is sometimes called little Genevieve because she resembles actress Genevieve Nnaji. Her acting career has been widely recognized, as she was awarded Best Young Actor at the 8th Africa Movie Academy Awards.
13. DJ Switch
Sensational rapper Obianuju Catherine Udeh, popularly known as DJ Switch, got famous after being crowned Africa’s first X Factor winner in 2013.
After that, the beautiful mother of one has gone on to experiment in the world of music, doing collabs with hip-hop stars P Square.
