Former Big Brother Naija contestant, Maryanne Ahneeka Iwuchukwu, has criticized Season 7 winner, Ijeoma Otabor, known as Phyna, for publicly condemning the organizers of the reality TV show over pending prizes.
For weeks, Phyna has been vocal about the unpaid 1BTC owed to her by one of the sponsors, now valued at over N100 million.
During an appearance on the ‘Terms & Conditions’ podcast, Ahneeka questioned Phyna’s approach, deeming it unwise. She suggested seeking counsel instead of resorting to social media blackmail.
Ahneeka emphasized that while it’s plausible the organizers owe Phyna, handling the issue requires maturity. She stressed the importance of managing newfound fame and transitioning from the show’s platform to real-life hustling.
Expressing her viewpoint, Ahneeka highlighted the need for Phyna to consider alternative dispute resolution methods rather than resorting to online shaming. She reminded listeners that being a reality show winner doesn’t automatically entitle contestants to prizes.
In her words, “The thing about Phyna is, the thing that happens when you come out of Biggie’s house and out of nowhere, from 200 followers, you have millions of people, you think you are invisible… If truly the organizers are owing Phyna money… it’s still a job at the end of the day… But if she thinks the best way is to blackmail them on social media, I don’t think it is wise.”
Ahneeka concluded by emphasizing the importance of handling disputes maturely and responsibly, especially in the public eye.
