Karen Igho, the winner of Big Brother Africa 2011 is the first woman to achieve such a feat with a prize money of 30,000 dollars. A model, actress, host/presenter and an entrepreneur, Karen had a chat with YES International!Magazine’s GBENGA SHABA on issues relating to project, marriage, scandals and a lot more recently.
What have you been doing to keep yourself busy?
I have been doing a lot. I’m now a new on air presenter at Naija FM on a show called Wetin Dey. I have also been doing movies. I have done one with Tonto Dike called Black Berry Babe 2 and Heavy Duty. I’m also working on bringing out my own clothing line which will be out very soon. I was also one of the special guests at the last Big Brother Amplified grand final despite the fact that we had no Nigerian in the finals. Being the last winner at the show, I was there to encourage and cheer the finalists up. Also the music video I featured in, Beauty Bounce. Oregie was nominated for Channel O Awards.
How does it look like being on a movie set for the first time?
I got a good advice from Denrele and Tonto Dike to try it out since I performed well while on BBA so, I took to their advice and they supported me well. It was nice though naïve because the first time syndrome will still play its part.
Why launching clothing line?
You know for me I like simplicity. I like things that are casual and more comfortable. Something you can easily buy for your wife, boyfriend, husband, girlfriend or whoever it is just be causal, something you can go to bed with, like night wears. Just like the way we have it in Big Brother House, those casual wears which are unisex and very affordable.
Nigerians didn’t do well in the last edition of BBA just like you said, how do you feel about this?
Haa! Don’t rope me ooo! (General laughter). All I said was that Nigerians went to represent and unfortunately we did not win so that was why I went back there to show them that even if we are not in the finals, I’m still the reigning champion of BBA and I’m from Nigeria and the first woman to win it. With time, I know we are still going to get more representative and we will win it. All they need is motivation. But we are still proud of those that represented us but didn’t win. They contested well.
So, what exactly do you prefer at the different activities you engaged in?
You mean, movie, presenter, modeling at all. Anyway, I’m like a brand ambassador for different thing. Right now I’m the youth ambassador of the year and I’ve been doing a lot of thing that I don’t even believe I can do. It is not all about me anyway, it is about giving back to the community. I also work with the mother kids, kids with cancer and others I just try to do what I can do to give back to the community which needed much from us.
How did you spend your prize money?
I got my grand mother a house and the rest, I invested it.
What about the projects you promised to embark on when you won the money?
I’m still doing them. Going after cancer infected patients like breast cancer, kidney cancer, motherless kids. You know I’m a young lady who is still growing and I believe that with time I will get there.
I do eat a lot and don’t normally do any workout. All I do is to watch what I eat and the time I eat them. When God said I should grow fat I will be fat I have no problem with that but I think I’m okay like this.
You are always seen at different events, why?
It is just my personality. I don’t discriminate. I take everybody equally. If you have an event and I’m free, I will surely be there if I’m invited anyway because I don’t gate crash on people’s events. I’m always busy with my own life and don’t look down on people.
Much have not been heard about your plan to settle down in marriage why?
Who said I don’t like to marry? (Laughs). I want to marry of course. I’m only looking for Mr. Right. Presently I’m only focusing on my career till my Mr. Right will show face. I will like to get married and have kids.
Are you saying you are yet to find your Mr. Right?
I just need to take things easy because they said a journey of a thousand miles begin with a step so, I need to take one step at a time. Just take things easy with me and of course I know a lot of people might also be asking the same question but when my type comes I will surely know what to do. Let me just say a big thank you to all my fans who believed in me for their support all this while, I won’t disappoint you.
Recently, your half nude picture went viral on the internet. What actually went wrong?
I don’t actually want to talk about this again, but just for the record purpose. I have earlier raised an alarm that my internets containing my private photos have been hacked and that those behind this ugly act may send those pictures online and few days later, the pictures thudded the internet. It was very unfortunate because it can happen to anyone. I was in my bikini wears.
Don’t forget that I’m a model so; the issue of bikini wears should not be far away from me. People who had the impression that I was trying to play public relations stunts by exposing my boobs and half naked got it all wrong. You need to get the fact right before you judge people’s actions. Please I don’t really want us to dwell much on this.
NB: First published May 2013