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By Agatha Emeadi
Sabrina Bella Idukpaye is a born entertainer, international model, actor, spoken-word poet and an entrepreneur. She was a housemate at the just concluded Ex-BBNaija, Season 10, 2025; but voluntarily left the house before the end of the show to seek medical attention for a persistent health issue.
Idukpaye has a Master’s Degree from London School of Economics (LSE) where she graduated with distinction. In this interview with Sunday Sun, the Edo State born Idukpaye, who is known for her intellect, confidence and expressive talents, said she regrets not going to Harvard, but expressed happiness for adding a fashion line and consultancy business to her business.
How did you get begin your career in acting, storytelling, and speaking?
I have always been drawn to the arts. Growing up in Italy, I loved to dance, perform, and express myself creatively. When I moved to Canada at eight years old, that passion evolved into visual arts and later into the dramatic and performing arts. I was actively involved in school leadership, serving as president of both my elementary and secondary schools, which nurtured my confidence and love for public speaking. At the same time, I explored modelling and studied drama, winning the drama award in all four years of secondary school.
A defining moment for my speaking came in 2010, when I was the keynote speaker at the Youth in Policing Media Launch hosted by the Toronto Police Service, an experience that showed me just how powerful storytelling can be. Later, in 2022, while pursuing my master’s degree at the London School of Economics, I delivered a TEDx talk after winning a speaking competition, which truly cemented my identity as a speaker.
Therefore, looking back, my journey into the entertainment industry grew naturally from my education, creativity, and lifelong passion for self-expression, all of which have always been beautifully intertwined.
How did you rise to stardom?
Rising to stardom has been a journey of timing, talent, and opportunity. In Canada, modelling put me on the map, winning the Next Top Aspiring Model search in Toronto (2011), being named Best Female Model at the AE Awards (2012 & 2013), and becoming the face of multiple brands. When I came to Nigeria in the fall of 2017 for my NYSC, things escalated quickly. Within two weeks, someone who followed me on Snapchat connected me to Spice TV, where I became a presenter and anchor. Soon after, I landed lead roles in national commercials, including the star-studded Meet the In-Laws for Airtel, lead in Dangote seasoning cubes, and starred alongside Jim Iyke in P-Square’s Rudeboy “Somebody’s Baby” music video. In 2019, I returned abroad to further my education, before deciding to come back to Nigeria last year to take up space in the entertainment industry. This led to Big Brother Naija Season 10 (2025), which became a major turning point. Though my time in the house was brief, it sparked nationwide conversation and amplified the “Sabrina” brand across the continent and beyond. The love and recognition that followed has been incredible.
How did your parents feel when you showed interest in the entertainment industry? And how do they still feel now?
Growing up, I was on track to become a lawyer. I studied Political Science for my first degree at McGill University, often called the Harvard of Canada, because in Canada you need a first degree before law school. My goal was to eventually attend Harvard, and I even returned to Canada after NYSC to study for the LSAT and apply but that is a story for another time. I always thought acting would just be a passion or hobby. My father, when he was alive, did not see acting in a positive light and preferred I stayed on a traditional path. Even as I was rising into the limelight in Nigeria during NYSC, my mum and brother insisted I return to Canada which I did. Since then, my mum has become one of my biggest supporters. She is incredibly encouraging of my entertainment pursuits, especially after I completed my Master’s at the London School of Economics (LSE). Even as she continues to motivate me to chase my dreams, she is proud of how far I have come, continuing to motivate me to live boldly and chase my dreams.
How are you coping with the fame? I saw a lot of people coming to take pictures with on that party day at Oriental Hotels
Oh, it was such a fun evening! I am naturally a people person; a bit of a social butterfly so engaging with others is something I really enjoy. Over the years, my leadership roles and experiences have also trained me to interact with different kinds of people comfortably. That evening, a lot of the attention I received was honestly because people appreciated my fashion, my Afrocentric hair and colourful, avant-garde dress made a bold statement. Some people recognised me from the show, others from advertisements or social media, and some industry colleagues I had met before. It was really a lovely mix of everyone coming together.
What opportunities and challenges would you say being an actor has brought you?
Honestly, I have not fully stepped into my acting capacity yet, outside of the projects I have mentioned. But now that I have relocated to Nigeria, I am excited to take on more roles be it on TV, cinema, Netflix or Amazon Prime films. Post-Big Brother, one challenge is the sudden expectation to be a full celebrity. Fans and the public expect a lot, but the show does not provide all the resources to meet those expectations. Managing appearances, financial pressures, and so many opinions from fans can get overwhelming. More generally, breaking into the industry is not always straightforward. You do not always know the right steps, and gate-keeping can make it harder to navigate opportunities.
How did you get into the BBNaija house? And how has the society been treating you?
A friend sent me the audition link, and this year it happened to be in-person auditions, which hadn’t been the case since COVID. I thought, “If it is in person, my personality is bigger than life. I can definitely kill it.” And that is exactly what happened. I applied online, made it through several rounds of auditions, and eventually made it into the house. Post-show, the response has been amazing. People call me “Sabi girl” or “Sabi luxury,” compliment my fashion, and often say I was one of the best-dressed in the house. Many people tell me they missed me and that I would have definitely been a finalist if not for my unforeseen early exit. There have been many memorable experiences since the show, but one that stood out was filming a project in three different cities soon after my exit. At each airport, it was so interesting to see people recognise me and call me by name. In my absence, I had numerous housemates genuinely speak highly of me and ask after me. It has been incredible to see how impactful my two weeks on the show were and the connections it allowed me to make.
How was growing up with your family?
I had a really interesting and multicultural upbringing that shaped who I am today. I was born in Italy and spent my early years speaking Italian and living with my mum and dad. I have an older brother, Steve, who grew up in Nigeria. When I was nine, I moved to Canada and spent my formative years living with my guardian, where I adapted to English and became part of a new family dynamic. There, I have three younger siblings Princess, Wisdom, and Favour.
Again, I was once a daddy’s girl, but I lost my father to cancer in 2018. Since then, my mum has been my best friend, my rock, and a constant source of support. Growing up across different continents and cultures gave me perspective, resilience, and adaptability, and taught me to embrace life’s changes with gratitude and curiosity.
What advice would you give aspiring female actors?
Be confident in your talent, but also be patient and persistent. The industry can be challenging, and there will be gate-keeping and rejection along the way. Always continue learning, keep improving your craft, and surround yourself with people who support and challenge you. Most importantly, stay true to yourself, your authenticity is your strongest asset.
