Kampala – Uganda, 07 October 2024: Kellyrae has walked away with the coveted title of Big Brother Naija season 9 winner, in an exciting, climactic end to 10 weeks in Biggie’s house. He beat out a total of 27 competitors – including his wife Kassia – to seize the ultimate crown.
Before being announced as the last man standing in a two-hour finale, an emotional Kellyrae – who started the show as one half of DoubleKay alongside his then-secret wife, Kassia – told host Ebuka Obi-Uchendu and the screaming live studio audience he was “very” surprised to make it to the top two.
“You told us that no couple actually makes it far, so I’m happy that my wife and I have broken one record. Secondly, there are other records to be broken… Having to say that your wife is your friend was the biggest lie I told in my life,” he said.
Coming in as the BBNaija season 9 runner-up was Wanni, who admitted that she hadn’t expected to make it to the top two: “I’m still grateful. I’ve accomplished everything I came to do on this show. Wanni x Handi are taking over the world. Let’s go. It’s money, baby.”
Kellyrae beat out six other finalists – Sooj, Anita, Ozee, Nelly, Victoria, and Onyeka – to walk away with an impressive cash and car prize worth N100-million (localise).
Ebuka wasn’t alone in hosting duties last night – Toke Makinwa, host of Big Brother Naija: The Buzz on Showmax, joined him from a fan park, where the energy was as spirited as it was in the studio. Former housemates from this season as well as seasons past also made an appearance, while there were live performances from Joeboy and Qing Madi.
It was an emotional and tense finale, which opened with poignant tributes from Big Brother to the top 8 housemates: “In the face of many obstacles, you didn’t lose your determination or ambition. Finalists, you no loose guard.”
We started BBNaija with 28 housemates – as 14 pairs – and halfway through the season, the pairs were unceremoniously split in a shocking twist. Some pairs didn’t recover from the disbanding, while others’ halves made it all the way to the end.
The eight finalists were eliminated one by one during the finale, with Sooj being the first to go. He said: “I’m thankful for the journey. I feel like a winner. I feel like a champion.”
Next to leave was Anita, who had made up one half of the last remaining pair, Nelita. “Even though coming in here I wanted to win the prize, at some point I wondered if I would be here till week four. Well I’m here to this day – I feel that’s an achievement,” she told Ebuka.
Ozee, too, expressed gratitude: “It’s not about the final prize, it’s about the experience… Look out for me, this is just the beginning.”
Next out was Nelita’s Nelly, who had auditioned nine times before finally making it into BBNaija. When asked what was next, she said: “Everyone knows I’m all about my brand. You guys should expect something big.”
After narrowly missing out on the top three, Victoria said: “I did not expect to get this far, so being part of the finalists is a very big deal to me.”
The final evictee was Onyeka, who declared when asked how authentic she had been on the show: “Biggest O is over the top all the way, so on the show if she’s over the top she’s just being Biggest O!”
While there is only one winner, many housemates’ lives have changed forever. Biggie’s closing words to the finalists last night ring true: “Beyond Big Brother’s house is a country yearning for your arrival, a world eager to receive you, a sky awaiting its stars.”
“Big Brother will watch as you continue to attain new heights, continue to thrive and continue to shine. Go out there and be the sun, blazing in your glory.”
