Ndi Nne, the niece and aunt duo from Big Brother Naija’s “No Loose Guard” season 9, shared their biggest regret following their exit from the reality show on Sunday.
In a twist that left everyone in shock, Ndi Nne (Nne and Chinne) were evicted in the second week despite being voted Head of the House by their fellow housemates. This unprecedented event marked the first time in BBNaija history that a Head of House would be evicted as they are traditionally immune from elimination.
Despite their early eviction, Ndi Nne left a lasting impression during their short stay. They took victory in the “keepers’ challenge” in their first week, earning them immunity and a mystery card that allowed them to influence nominations or evictions.
Remorse
Shedding more light on their experiences outside the home, they said they realized their strategy of presenting themselves as both aunt and niece during the highly competitive duo challenge could have been more favorable.
In an interview with PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday, Nne said: “Coming out of the house and seeing the comments, especially from the first week, many questioned the role of ‘aunt and niece’.
“Housemates and viewers expected us to hide our relationship and adopt a different approach. At first, our openness did not sit well with them, but over time, opinions softened.”
Ndi Nne said they believed their eviction was a matter of fate rather than strategy.
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Speaking about their eventual eviction by the Streeze couple's “guardian power” (Mayor Frosh and Toby), they said they were disappointed that they were chosen despite having a good relationship with them.
Nne said her previous relationship with Team Streeze could be a little strained “because if I were them, I wouldn’t evict them because we were close to them. I was on good terms with Mayor Frosh; we used to dance. Our lockers were close, we had connections and we expected more. Other couples were at risk of being evicted and weren’t as close to them, but we understand that it was a difficult decision to make. It was a difficult decision for them. We had a good relationship with Mayor Frosh, so it was a little disappointing.”
Chinne said: “Our stay in the house was working out. What happened was fate; maybe we weren’t meant to stay in the house for so long. If you go back to the house and ask the housemates about us, they will have something positive to say. We have already built good friendships in the house.
“If you look at the journal sessions that the Streeze team had with Biggie, you’ll see that they were just strategic about it. Toby and the Mayor saw that the House was split into two groups and we were with the Mbadiwe group, the stronger pair. So, they wanted to break us up and weaken that particular group and pair that we were in, and that’s the reason we think he chose us. If it wasn’t for that, we feel like we would still be in the House and be strong contenders.”
Defects
Nne identified her strengths as “good luck, hard work and discipline.” She admitted her struggle with visibility, stating, “I was initially considered boring until I became head of the house, which allowed me to showcase myself better.”
Chinne said her physical appearance was a weakness: “There was a perception that I had to dress a certain way because it was Biggie’s house. I preferred to be true to myself, but some people didn’t understand my choice.”
Nne and Chinne expressed their willingness to return if given the chance. Nne stated, “I would be more proactive from the start if I had another chance,” while Chinne said, “I would stay true to myself.” The duo expressed their hope for another chance at BBN’s all-star version.
Plans
Looking ahead, Nne said in the interview that she plans to focus on her perfume brand. “My goal is to develop my perfume line in Nigeria instead of importing. I want to start there and continue to grow my brand.”
Meanwhile, China said she intends to expand her brand, Pisces Kitchen, and return to acting: “I'm looking forward to growing my brand and diving back into entertainment.”
Great moment
Speaking about the highlights, Chinne commented: “The highlight for me was winning the title of custodian. When we entered the house, we were still finding our footing. Winning the challenge gave us a sense of direction.”
Nne added: “Staying in the Head of House lounge was a luxury. Winning the challenge was exciting and the feeling of power was overwhelming. We didn’t fully understand the extent of our influence until we had the opportunity to save a couple from eviction.”
Upon learning of the DoubleKay duo's marriage after their exit, Chinne said: “We were surprised. It was a smart strategy and we hope it works for them.”
Commenting on the romance between the different duos, Ndi Nne said that they believed that despite it being a popular strategy, they don't think it's crucial, noting that anyone could be good at the show without a relationship. When asked about their attraction to any housemate, they revealed that they had no romantic interests but cherished the friendships formed.
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The close-knit couple, whose bond began when Chinne moved in with Nne's family shortly after Nne was born in 2002, had a memorable career.
Nne explained their family bond: “There was no specific moment, it just formed naturally. Chinne was nine years old when I was born and our bond developed from there.”
Speaking about how they came to participate in BBNaija, Chinne said, “I had been auditioning for eight years. The duo format of this season seemed perfect to bring Nne with me despite the risk of family-related complications. I felt that family is family and it was the right choice.”
Concluding, Nne said, “I will miss the house itself, it was like a character. The Head of House lounge felt like a personal sanctuary.” Chinne will miss the kitchen and noted, “The housemates loved my food.” The duo thanked their fans for their support throughout their time on the show. They both also revealed that they are rooting for the Mbadiwe twins to take home the coveted prize.
BBNaija Season 9 features 14 duos competing for a grand prize of ₦100 million.
The season lasts up to three months, during which the duos will face various challenges as they compete for the top spot. The show brings together a diverse mix of couples, each with unique dynamics and strategies, adding to the excitement and unpredictability of the competition.