“I Took a ₦5 Million Loan Just to Be Seen” — Disqualified BBNaija Star, Faith, Opens Up on Her Struggles and Silent Cry for Help

In a shocking and emotional revelation that has sent waves across social media, recently disqualified Big Brother Naija housemate, Faith, has opened up about the intense financial and mental pressure she faced before and during her time on the reality show. In a lengthy post that quickly went viral, the former housemate disclosed that she took a staggering ₦5 million loan just to secure her place in the competition — a decision she now says was driven by desperation, ambition, and the need to be seen in a world that often overlooks those without connections.

Faith, who was disqualified midway through the season following a heated altercation in the house, said that behind her confident exterior and outspoken personality was a young woman struggling silently with anxiety, financial worries, and the crushing fear of failure. “I took a ₦5 million loan to be on the show,” she revealed. “People think we just walk in and start living the life, but the truth is, many of us sacrifice everything just to get that shot. I wanted to change my life, to build a name, and to prove that someone like me could make it too. But I didn’t realize the kind of emotional toll it would take on me.”

Her admission has sparked a new wave of conversations around the unseen pressures reality TV contestants face, particularly those who enter shows like Big Brother Naija hoping for fame, financial stability, and a better future. Faith admitted that even before her disqualification, she was struggling mentally and emotionally, and repeatedly asked for professional help during her time in the house. “I asked for a therapist over three times,” she said. “I knew I needed one. I was losing myself. The cameras, the pressure, the judgment — it was too much to handle, but I didn’t want to look weak. I just kept trying to smile, to act fine, but inside I was breaking.”

Her confession paints a grim picture of what goes on behind the glitz and glamour of reality TV — where contestants are often portrayed as bold, carefree individuals chasing fame, while many of them privately battle exhaustion, anxiety, and the fear of public humiliation. Faith’s story has resonated with many fans who now see the show in a different light. Social media users flooded her comment section with mixed reactions — some expressing deep sympathy for her honesty, while others criticized her decision to take a loan that huge for what they described as a “gamble for fame.”

“₦5 million just to chase clout? That’s madness,” one user wrote. “I feel for her, but she should have thought about the aftermath.” Others, however, applauded her for opening up about a topic many contestants shy away from. “She’s brave for saying this out loud,” another fan commented. “We forget these housemates are human beings with real emotions. She clearly needed help.”

Faith’s statement also reignites a longstanding conversation about the emotional welfare of reality show participants and whether enough psychological support is provided for them before, during, and after their time on the show. Over the years, several former housemates have spoken about the mental health struggles that followed their eviction, ranging from depression to online bullying. For Faith, however, the struggle began even before she stepped into the house. “I didn’t come from money. I had to borrow that ₦5 million with the belief that this show would change my story forever,” she explained. “People said, ‘If you can just enter that house, your life will never be the same again.’ But nobody tells you about the sleepless nights, the overthinking, and the silent panic when you realize it’s not as easy as you thought.”

Her words expose the harsh reality of how fame can sometimes come at a devastating cost. In a country where millions of young people see reality shows as a ticket out of poverty, Faith’s story serves as a sobering reminder that the road to stardom is often paved with unseen struggles and financial risks that don’t always pay off. She described how the excitement of finally making it into the house quickly faded into stress and confusion. “I remember standing in front of the mirror one night and not recognizing myself. I had become someone else — louder, angrier, constantly trying to prove a point,” she said. “That’s when I knew I needed therapy. But I didn’t get it in time.”

After her disqualification, Faith says she felt like her world collapsed. The weight of debt, coupled with public criticism and disappointment, became almost unbearable. “When I left the house, I didn’t even have the strength to face my family,” she confessed. “My phone was filled with insults, trolls calling me a disgrace. Nobody knew I was crying every night, thinking about how to pay back that ₦5 million. I felt like I had lost everything.”

Still, despite the heartbreak and public backlash, Faith’s courage to speak out has sparked a wider debate about the emotional responsibility of entertainment producers and the need for better mental health frameworks within the Nigerian entertainment industry. Many fans have now begun calling for mandatory therapy sessions for all reality show contestants — not just during the show, but also after eviction or disqualification. Mental health advocates argue that the constant exposure, criticism, and overnight fame can be deeply destabilizing, especially for contestants who are not emotionally prepared for the spotlight.

Faith’s revelation has also opened up discussions about financial literacy among aspiring contestants who often spend millions preparing for a show that only guarantees fame for a few. From renting luxury outfits to hiring media strategists, makeup artists, and even lobbying agents, many young Nigerians invest everything they have into securing a spot in the Big Brother Naija house, believing that one viral moment can change their destiny. But for every success story, there are countless others like Faith — those who leave the show broke, broken, and forgotten.

Yet, despite everything she has been through, Faith says she does not regret chasing her dream. What she regrets, however, is not taking care of her mental health sooner. “If I had gotten help early, maybe I would have handled things differently,” she said. “Maybe I would still be in the house. But I’m grateful that at least I’m alive to tell my story. I want people to understand that it’s okay to chase your dreams, but don’t lose yourself in the process. Don’t go broke trying to impress the world. And if you ever feel like you’re losing your mind, please speak up.”

As her story continues to trend online, Faith’s bravery in confronting the truth behind her fall from grace has earned her newfound respect from many who once judged her. What started as a painful confession has now become a powerful reminder that fame is not always freedom — sometimes, it is a heavy mask hiding the deepest wounds. And for Faith, taking a ₦5 million loan to chase a dream became a lesson in resilience, vulnerability, and the high price of being seen in a world obsessed with appearances.