In a recent episode of her podcast, Ijeoma Otabor, popularly known as Phyna and winner of Big Brother Naija ‘Level Up,’ asserted her role in pioneering the emergence of hype women in Nigeria.
Phyna recounted her journey from being the sole hype woman in Abuja before entering the Big Brother Naija house to witnessing a surge of hype girls after her return. She claimed credit for inspiring others in the industry, emphasizing that her success after the reality show motivated aspiring hype women to pursue similar paths.
The reality star pointed out encounters in Ghana where she encountered numerous hype girls who followed her on social media, citing herself as their inspiration. She expressed frustration with the lack of acknowledgment from some of these individuals, noting that they followed her lead despite denying her influence.
Phyna’s assertions align with her previous claims of being an originator of ideas, evidenced by her self-identification as the “blue point.” She has been vocal about the imitation of her actions by rivals and other influencers.
Phyna had also disclosed the impact of controversies and scandals on her brand endorsements, recounting the loss of 17 deals due to false accusations and trolling on social media. Despite the setbacks, she remained resilient, rejecting lucrative offers that compromised her values.
