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Ijeoma ‘Mercedes’ Emi, a former housemate on BBNaija ‘Show Ya Sef’, has revealed that she took up pole dancing out of necessity rather than as a hobby.
Mercedes, who was evicted from the season 11 edition alongside fellow housemate Martins last Sunday, disclosed this in a recent interview with TheCable Lifestyle.
The reality TV star said her interest in pole dancing began after she saw it featured in a movie. She initially took it up as an alternative form of exercise before it eventually became a means of survival.
“Pole dancing was a survival means; it is not a hobby or something I planned to do. I watched a movie once, I saw it, and I loved it. It was another form of exercise for me. Then I went into the sensual part of it with pole dancing, and that is how it started off,” she said.
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The reality star said the activity has since evolved into something she genuinely enjoys, citing both physical and mental benefits.
“It is something that I enjoy doing now because it gives me more confidence and makes me more flexible. I used to be very stiff, and it also helps me tone my body. I could stay out of the gym for months, and it would be like I was lifting weights,” she added.
The 2026 season premiered on July 26 with 24 housemates. This year’s winner stands to claim a record-breaking grand prize of N160 million, the largest payout in the reality show’s history since its debut in 2006.
