Kingsley Sule, also known as Kellyrae, the winner of Big Brother Naija Season Nine (No Lose Guard), recently opened up about his time in the house, the surprise of his victory, and his plans for the future in an exclusive interview with PUNCH Saturday.
Kellyrae revealed that at no point did he expect to win the competition. Reflecting on his early days in the house, he said, “I was just praying that God should keep us (he and his wife, Kassia) till the second week. If we were evicted after the first week, we wouldn’t have made any impact. I always thought we had to leave the show with something meaningful. Surprisingly, we lasted beyond the first, second, and third weeks, and from that point, I left everything in God’s hands.”
Even after his victory, Kellyrae admitted that he still finds it hard to believe, noting, “It’s almost like I don’t know what I’m doing here, being interviewed. Last night, I could not sleep; I just kept rolling in bed.”
On Other Potential Winners
Asked who else he thought could have won, Kellyrae mentioned housemates like Wanni, Handi, Onyeka, and the Mbadiwe twins, stating that they were more prominent and suited for the type of content people typically enjoy from the show. “I was just doing my thing and hoping for the best,” he added.
Addressing the Alleged Strategy
Regarding opinions that not disclosing his marital status early in the game was a strategy, Kellyrae dismissed the claim. “It wasn’t a strategy to get to the final. It was more about connecting with other contestants. If I had announced I was married from the start, the girls might not have been comfortable around me, and the guys wouldn’t have danced with my wife. We wanted to build relationships and make friends, but I had always planned to tell them later.”
Balancing Fame and Family Life
On managing his newfound fame while protecting his family from public scrutiny, Kellyrae explained that he and his wife had already prepared themselves for the attention that would come after the show. “We knew our lives wouldn’t be the same, and we were ready for that outcome.”
Plans for Music Career
Kellyrae is determined to pursue his music career, dismissing concerns that being on BBNaija might not guarantee success in the industry. “I’m different. I’ve already made history by being the first married man to win the show. I will push my music strongly.”
Handling the Prize Money
When asked how he plans to share the prize money with his wife, Kellyrae humorously said, “We will have a meeting, and when we are done, we will let you know our decision.” He affectionately refers to his wife as his “treasurer” due to her involvement in managing his affairs, even when they had little money.
Future Outlook
Kellyrae believes his win will significantly impact his life, even though he had already begun feeling the changes before the victory. He noted that despite not having his phone or being fully aware of what has been happening outside the house, he is confident that the experience will open doors for him.
Regarding the challenges he faced in the house, Kellyrae said there weren’t any major difficulties, except that he consciously avoided bantering with female housemates. As for his interactions with the men, he was ready for any verbal exchanges.
Financial Management
In terms of handling the prize money, Kellyrae stated that he is fully prepared. “It’s important to be prepared for a stage one hopes and prays to reach. I’ve taken my time to mature into this, so I’ll be fine,” he concluded.
