I’ve never had N1m in my account — BBN winner Kellyrae

Kingsley Sule, well known as Kellyrae, the winner of Big Brother Naija (No Lose Guard) Season Nine, talks to TOFARATI IGE about his experience in the house and his future goals.

At what point did you start feeling that you could win the show?

There was no point that I thought I was going to win the competition. I was just praying that God should keep us (he and his wife and partner, Kassia) till the second week. I figured that if we were evicted after the first week, we would be leaving nothing behind, and wouldn’t have made appreciable impact. I always had it at the back of my mind that we had to leave the show with something, and also leave something behind. Even if we leave with the money, it is what we leave behind that people will talk about. Those are the things that will open more doors for us. However, we lasted beyond the first, second and third week. From that point, I felt that anything could happen, and put everything in God’s Hands.

As a matter of fact, if I had been told to predict a likely winner, I would not have mentioned my name.

Even till now, my brain is still processing the realisation that I won the show. It’s almost like I don’t know what I’m doing here, being interviewed. I am just answering questions. Last night (Sunday), I could not sleep; I just kept rolling in bed. You can imagine how it feels like for someone that came from nothing to become something.

Who else do you think could have won the show?

Going by what I had heard about BBN, as regards the kind of content people are said to love, I thought people like Wanni, Handi, Onyeka, or the Mbadiwe twins could have won. Those people (I mentioned) were prominent in the house. I was just doing my thing and hoping for the best.

You have said you did not have a strategy but some people are of the opinion that not disclosing your marital status to other contestants early on in the game was a strategy that helped you get to the final. What’s your response to that?

That was not the strategy to get me to the final. It was actually the strategy for me and my wife to connect with other contestants. There were times that Onyeka (another housemate) and I danced during the party, and I also ‘vibed’ with some other girls too? If I had announced my status as a married man, they might not have got close to me. We all saw how the girls were giving Tjay (another contestant) space because he is married.

Also, the guys wouldn’t have danced with my wife if they had known our marital status. We just wanted to connect with people and make friends. Meanwhile, I always had the intention of telling them later.

How do you intend to balance your newfound fame with shielding your family from public scrutiny, considering the increased attention?

Before my wife and I came on the show, we knew what to expect. I had a discussion with my wife, and we predicted that our lives won’t remain the same. And, we got ourselves ready for that outcome. I just got married to my wife in February 2024, but it feels like we’ve been married for long. That’s because we courted for a long time, so we will found our way around.

In what ways do you foresee your win impacting your life?

Even before I won the show, I was already feeling the impact in my life. Like I said, even if I did not win, I wouldn’t have felt bad.

Some people are also of the opinion that your victory was basically about people rewarding you for being a well behaved married man on the show.

As I speak with you right now (Monday), I don’t have my phone with me. I don’t know what has been happening outside (the house). I have not even had a chance to use my phone. Till now, I don’t have any idea of what happened (that influenced the votes).

What were the challenges you faced while in the house and did you overcome them?

I honestly had no challenges. I used to tell Topher and some other housemates to expect some things, even before Big Brother did them.

It was not like I had seen those things in previous editions of the show, but I was only following my instincts. When my gut tells me something, it just happens. I was ready for any outcome.

However, the only thing I did not do and won’t do is to have banters with ladies in the house. As for the men, I gave it to them as well as they gave me.

Aside from the fact that you’re married, your wife was also your partner in the early stage of the competition. How do you intend to share the money with her?

(Laughs) We will have a meeting, and when we are done, we will let you know our decision.

I earlier heard you referring to her as your secretary and treasurer. How is that?

You are right; that’s what I actually call her. When I released my Extended Play album, she was involved in the planning. Since then, I have been calling her ‘treasurer’. We had been saying that with faith (even when there was no money).

What are your plans for your music career?

I intend to pursue it strongly. Some people have said that participating in BBN does not mean one’s music career will be successful, but I’m different. I have already made history by being the first married man to win the show.

If you were asked to choose a role model among previous winners of the show, who would you pick?

I love all the winners for different reasons. One might love someone’s craft and not be cool with another side of the person. But, that does not mean that one does not like the person.

I pick things from everybody. My mum often says that one could even learn from the dance of a madman. So, I picked things from all of them.

Prior to winning the how, what’s the largest amount of money you had ever made?

I have made and spent millions of naira; but, I have never had one million naira in my account at the same time.

In light of that, how do you intend to handle this large sum of money?

It is not confusing. It is important to be prepared for a stage that one hopes and prays to get to so that when it finally comes, one would know how to handle it. Thankfully, I have taken my time to mature into this, so I’ll be fine.