Samod takes a look at Big Brother Amplified 6

Big Brother Amplified

How far will the Nigerians go?

By Samod Biobaku

Sixthsense34@yahoo.com

The fact that the latest edition of the popular reality TV show, Big Brother Amplified (BBA) has kicked off would mark a stale new item but the chances of the two Nigerians in the Big Brother house offers a fresher insight into the chances of country’s representative at the show.

With 14 countries in attendance, Big Brother Amplified 6 carefully selected two representatives from each country with the exception of Mozambique and Zambia.

The duo of Karen and Vina are representing Nigeria in the highly competitive show and viewers can only keep their fingers crossed as to how far they are capable of stretching.

Karen Igho

The 27-year-old Nigerian describes herself as loud, friendly, fun, playful, funny, sweet, honest, ready to learn, down to earth Favourite TV Shows: Desperate Housewives and Nip/Tuck Favourite. Her favourite meal is Banga soup, steak and mashed potato Favourite Celebrities: Damien Marley and 2 Face
Karen was born in Jos in Plateau State, Nigeria – her favourite place in her country - and she is single. She speaks Hausa, Urhobo and English and lists her mother as her role model. She likes spending time with people who are similar to her -‘fun, happy people’- and dislikes people who are boring, fake, and dishonest.
Her favourite housemate in previous Big Brother Africa series was Cherise because ‘she was real’. Karen relaxes by ‘chilling with friends’ and would love to visit Spain because ‘it is sunny, beautiful and exotic.’ She will most miss her family, friends and phone when she goes into the Big Brother house. If she wins Big Brother, she’d like to give some to charity and start her own NGO.
When she was chosen to appear on Big Brother, she felt ‘lucky and shocked’ and also very happy. She says audiences should watch her on Big Brother because she is fun, playful and friendly and will ‘say it like it is’. Karen says that the best thing about her country is that ‘it is a happy, beautiful place.’

Vina

This 26-year-old Nigerian describes herself as outrageous, silly, annoying, kind, caring, patient, outgoing, spontaneous, blessed Favourite TV Shows: Criminal Minds, Desperate Housewives, Pretty Little Liars and True Blood Favourite. Her favourite meals: Pounded Yam and Jollof Rice. Favourite Celebrities: Eva Longoria
Radio presenter Vina was born in Kwande, is in a relationship and has a BA (Hons) in Media Production. She speaks Goemai, Hausa, English and “a little French) and her favourite book is “The Gift” by Danielle Steele. Vina entered Big Brother Amplified on a whim – she actually went along to support her cousin, who had applied. “She asked me to take part, so I did – and since I got through one audition, I thought ‘why not go all the way?”
She promises viewers that she will be “outrageous” on the show because her personality is “very amplified”! She’s confident of her chances on the show: “When I walk out as the winner, I will use some of my money to refurbish the Zawan orphanage in Jos”. She says her favourite place in Nigeria is Jos. “As a child, growing up in Jos, life was calm and easy. So many memories of my childhood come from there”. The best advice she has ever been given came from her parents, who told her “always be yourself, never try to be what you’re not – and remember where you came from”.
Vina’s greatest achievement is forging a life for herself on the island of Malta. “Living away in another country made me realise how much family means to me,” she says. “It also taught me to be independent and free”. She likes spending time with people who know how to have fun, but who can also be serious when the time is right. She dislikes people who “think they are all that and better than you” and who are lazy and unfriendly.

Big Brother Amplified

Big Brother Amplified is the sixth season of Big Brother Africa, which is housed in Johannesburg and exclusive to DStv.
In order to assist readers we link you to the official website. - All contestant details are on site.
The show is screened 24/7 on DSTV Channel 198 with headline sponsor Coca-Cola and produced for M-Net by Endemol South Africa and it is hosted by IK Osakioduwa.
Last year’s winner was Nigerian Uti Nwachukwu. This year’s winner walks away with $200, 000.
There are 14 participating countries: Angola, Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The new Big Brother House
House is best described as friendly and fashionable, created to offer real comfort and great fun to the Housemates; including two bedrooms, a long kitchen, a storeroom, an open plan living room plus a large garden evergreen with artificial grass and two separate seating areas, the Big Brother House also includes a large bathroom. Most importantly, the Diary Room (now called the Chat Room) is back at the heart of things where housemates will spend time talking directly to Biggie.
Amongst the décor, the house also functions as a fully-fledged studio environment and includes 120 microphones and 54 cameras, including brand new ‘cue-ball’ cameras that allow for even greater camera flexibility and scope, an essential on a series that runs 24/7 live for 91 days. The new BBA house is a combination of the barn and the main house.