Popular Nigerian journalist and media entrepreneur, Chude Jideonwo, had an interview with Erica Nlewedim.
During the interview, Erica said that BBnaija Reality TV show is not her first experience within the entertainment industry.
According to her, she had featured as a model in advert projects and did some real acting in movies like “Hire a Woman,”
She said she was shocked coming to of the House and seeing people really wanting to see her, indeed falling over each other to meet her in spite of the way she left the house.
For her, it is overwhelming and she feels grateful for all the love.
On her career journey as an actor, Erica told Chude that “it started in 2012, 8 years ago.” She started with “small small commercial adverts here and there; I’d probably do the role of extra. I’d probably show for like 2 seconds.”
However, her first major acting job was in 2013 but show started airing in 2014 after which more commercial advert jobs on billboards etc stated coming.
Erica Nlewedim also featured in the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 2014 Pageant and won Miss Photogenic.
From the pageant she went into full acting with “Secrets and Scandals” and even featured in Netflix.
Erica, identifies herself mostly as an actress more than a model or movie producer.
Speaking about her most interesting movie project, she says it is the one she shot herself, where she also played the role of a twin.
A graduate of Economics from Nigeria’s Covenant University, Erica says she does not want to fit into a crowd. She wants to stand out, which is why she went to Film School, UK.
For her, studying acting in the UK means she will be able to play anywhere in the world. According to her, “I want be the best anywhere.”
She told Chude that 24 hours after she was disqualified, she shut out the world to do some introspection without even the distraction of a phone.
She added that her world is expectedly totally changed with the BBnaija House experience. The attention is overwhelming. “People who haven’t spoken to you in the last 5 – 6 years, they’re all calling…’Erica Darling, how’re you doing ? And I’m like eeeehn, is this how this life is ?”
Erica says that being herself was a huge success. Avoiding being what she is not attracted more fans to her because on coming out and reading fans’ comments, it was obvious that people could see a little part of themselves in her.
Being an emotional person, she finds relief in prayer instead of worrying about what she cannot change.
She acknowledges that the disqualification was her own making and so does not feel cheated out of a perceived overall ultimate winner of the show.
The House rules, living with total strangers with no gadgets, (wrist watch, phone, music…) coupled with Big Bother’s scary voice issuing orders were all enough to cause loneliness and mental stress.
She may have had fellow housemates in the house, but she largely felt lonely with only one friend in Kiddwaya.
Erica is not sure what to make of her relationship with Kidd. She however, says they are even closer now. Marriage is not in the offing as she needs to pursue her career and believes he also wants to do his.
She may have lost the actual BBNaija prizes but Erica has the money with the GofundMe in dollars.
Movie producers have been contacting her but she directs them to her producers.
Miss Nlewedim says she is particularly grateful that her family, particularly her mum is not judging her. They have been supportive
Erica advises future aspirants of the Big Brother Naija show to see a “shrink” before entering the House as proper mental health helps survival.
She counsels her fans and rival fans to stop the fight and focus on building each other up.