As anticipation builds for the 10th season of Big Brother Naija, former housemate Tolanibaj has offered important advice to aspiring contestants.
In a video shared on her TikTok page, Tolanibaj highlighted key things that potential housemates should keep in mind before entering the Big Brother house. Drawing from her personal experience, she emphasized the importance of authenticity, personal branding, realistic expectations, and post-show planning.
She reminded future contestants that Big Brother is not just a game but a platform that can shape their public image and influence future opportunities.
“Things to know before you go into the Big Brother House:
Number one, be yourself. Don’t go in there and be boring. Nigerians are going to hate it. You will be surprised that it will not work in your favour.
Secondly, dress up every day. While you are going to be in the Big Brother house, it is going to seem just like a house. But no, it’s not just a house. Sometimes, you might even question, Why do I have to dress up? It’s just a house. No, baby. Remember, it is a show and also a way for you to sell yourself to fashion brands. Do your makeup every day, girls. Guys, as well, drip every day. Even though they are going to give you clothes for the Saturday night parties, still bring your clothes; in case you don’t like them, you can put on your own outfit.
The third thing on my list is that your housemates are not your friends. Understand that just because you guys are living in a house for a month, two or three months does not make you guys friends. You guys are teammates and colleagues. They are not your friends. If you do come out of the Big Brother house and there is still a friendship there, then cool, you are lucky. You are blessed to be one of the few persons that found real friends in the house. But when you come out and you realise that there has been a change in energy, don’t question it, you guys were not friends. Go back to your real friends and family who really know you. Your housemates are not your real friends.
Fourthly, make sure you have what you want to do after the show. After the show, the organisers are not going to care about you, and you just have to keep it 100. You are going to come out and you will be going to the world and you have to figure out life. If you are thinking about using the money you won on the show to start your life, it will come, but it is not going to come immediately. If you win 10, 6 or 20 million, every week they can send you N200,000 to N500,000. So plan, don’t depend on that money.
Fifthly, the real show starts after the show. Once you get evicted or when the show is over, if you win the show, it is even better. But if you don’t win the show, life is not over. It is not about how far you go in the game, it is what you do after the show.”
Tolanibaj’s advice offers a dose of reality for those who see BBNaija as a life-changing opportunity, stressing that strategy and preparation beyond the house are just as important as their time inside.