Big Brother Naija Season 7 winner Josephine Ijeoma Otabor, known as Phyna, broke down in tears during an emotional livestream over what she described as family strain and financial pressure since winning the show.
The reality star said her problems began when she learned to say no to family requests. She explained that after winning the ₦100 million prize in 2022, she spent generously on relatives and covered expenses such as boreholes and medical bills, believing the money would never run out.
“The mistake I made was using my Big Brother Naija prize money to support family members instead of investing it. I thought I was helping my family members and sorting out their debts,” she said.
Phyna said none of the older family members advised her on how to invest or manage the money well. Instead, she claimed they kept demanding financial support and turned against her when she could not meet their requests.
“But the moment I started saying ‘No’ that was the beginning of my problem with family members. They complain and even call me out in the media whenever I can’t meet their demands,” she said.
She also spoke about strained relations with her father, saying he granted an interview to Vanguard and spoke negatively about her. Phyna added that she was mocked for returning to work at a local restaurant after fame, questioning why Nigerians shame service jobs locally but celebrate them abroad.
Fans reacted to the livestream with mixed messages of support and criticism, with many urging her to focus on her peace of mind and financial recovery.
