Saidat Avala Balogun was one of the 2019 Big Brother Naija housemates whose dream of winning the N60 million grand prize got shattered within few days of her entrance into the house. The Ogun State indigene, who studied Music and Business at York College, Queens New York, was based in the United States before the show. The proud mother of a beautiful five-year-old daughter spoke with MUTIAT LAWORE about her brief experience in the BBNaija house, the likely winner of the show this year, her life as a single mother and plans for the future.
You were part of the first set of housemates to be evicted from the Big Brother House; how did you take it?
I was pretty hurt; I never thought I would be out of the house that soon. It came really too soon; it was without votes. I just decided to make the best out of it and work extra hard to take my career to the next level.
Did you envisage that you wouldn’t be staying long in the house?
Never! I always thought I would, at least, be inside the house long enough.
READ ALSO:One-man squad robber terrorises Lagos community
What were some of the strategies you had earlier going to the house with?
I didn’t have one; I just wanted to be myself and see if the fans loved me for that.
With the few weeks spent with other housemates, who did you get along with at first?
I got along with Gedoni and Sir Dee.
You had been away in the US for quite some time. Why did it take you so long to come back home?
Because I was hoping to start my career over in New York since my daughter was there.
You studied music and business; are you still exploring music or trying new things?
Yes.
Having watched the several love tangles in the BBNaija house; if you had stayed a little longer, would you have been attached to any of the male housemates?
Hmm, I guess we would never know, lol.
Which of the male housemates do you admire, even after leaving the house?
No comment, lol.
Among the several couples in the house; which do you consider having a potential?
Mercy and Ike.
You had hoped to build a house for your mum and daughter and also invest in real money with the prize money, what happens to the dream now?
I still wanna try to achieve those things and more. I just won’t give up.
You are a single mother; can you give a fair share of how the journey of motherhood has been for you?
It’s not been easy but I would never change it for the world. I love my daughter very much and everything I do, I do it for her. My experience made me who I am today, and I consider myself a really strong woman. It has been great, fun and quite interesting. Although not a tea party, it has been worth the while. Shout out to all the moms out there; we are all queens!
What was the reaction of your five-year-old daughter when you hinted you were going to the Big Brother?
She didn’t really understand at first I think but while I was on the show, I made sure my sisters showed her where I was and explained it to her very well. She was excited
As a single mum, would you still consider going into a relationship?
Yes, I would. The fact that I am a single mum does not mean I won’t take a shot at a relationship or love because I believe when you fall; you don’t remain there or stagnant but rather you pick your shattered self up and move ahead. Love is not over for me yet.
READ ALSO:LAUTECH: Oyo group blasts Osun govt, asks Makinde to get tough
As an entertainer, what’s new about you and what are you currently working on?
Right now, I’m working on a few music videos, my EP and also working on a few acting gigs
Which of the female housemates do you think will emerge winner this year?
It will be Mercy
Having followed the several editions of BBN show outside the country and now having it being brought back to Nigeria; do you think it’s a right move?
Yes, I think it was a good move to bring it down to Nigeria, especially with all that is going on around, I mean with the issue of Xenophobia in South Africa and the massacre that followed; no one would have been safe. So far, it’s safer here since and it is called Big Brother Nigeria not Big Brother Africa. There is no place like home. Honestly, it is much better.
