…Says ‘I enjoyed BBNaija to fullest my second time’
By Christy Anyanwu
Adekunle Olopade is that guy you like to watch in Big Brother House. Before his sojourn into the house he was not doing badly professionally.
In this interview with Sunday Sun, he revealed more about his personality and why he chose to partake in the Big Brother Naija for the second time, the All Stars Season edition, that ended in October, 2023. Excerpts:
The last time you were in the BBN house there were a lot of intrigues, like you talk too much. Was there a plan to correct that impression?
One of the things I am grateful for is that I went into the show with lots of experience. I think being part of the All Stars Season helped in a way to remove the negative notion or ambiguity about my personality. I allowed myself to be myself.That too assisted
When you were in the house at the All Stars Season, you were very calm is there any narrative you wanted to change?
Experience is the best teacher. The first time I was in the house I never had any form of training before I entered the house. I truly didn’t understand what I was into which was part of the things I had to work on. I didn’t want my actions to form any negative outcome. I actually didn’t want any misinterpretation of my actions, so I preferred to keep quiet.
What inspired you to go into the house?
I would say an opportunity to really experience the house. The first time I didn’t enjoy the house that much, but when the second opportunity came I used it very well. I enjoyed the house to its fullest.
After you left the house, what challenges did you face?
I don’t think there is a challenge because it’s more of a blessing. BBN All Star Seasons is more of a blessing than a challenge this time around.
What motivated you back into the show for the second time, All Stars Season, considering your experience?
I thought it would be more interesting and I had experience on what the last season I participated looked like because I had gained enough experience. The money was equally a motivational factor, I mean who would not want to get the money?
After BBN All Stars Season, what next?
Coming out of the All Stars Season particularly I now understand how to view the entertainment industry. Formerly, I didn’t believe in the industry because I see it as an easy sector where people can chart their cause. I like creating magic behind the scenes and watch people’s reaction. I will like someone’s reaction to something not based on hearsay. That being said I have a passion for film making. I want to make passion film, cultural film, culture documentary and equally travel round Africa and then capture the different culture of people in the continent. Find out their tradition and just merge them. Then I will delve into Nigerian politics.
Tell us about yourself before BBN?
Before I went into the BBN house or rather participated in the TV reality show and my profile changed as a reality TV star and media personality, I used to be a very corporate guy. I used to work in the financial sector. I have worked with so many financial institutions in the capacity of Digital Marketing Manager, Digital Analysis and Media Manager. My time in the corporate world was basically to understand customers’ problems, find a solution to them, leveraging on digital tools to bring solution. My time in the financial institution actually opened up my eyes to see how to solve people’s problem.I have to put one or two things together to solve issues behind the scenes. So, before entertainment I worked with agencies which focus on SMEs. We help to push up their business. I did a little of small business after school, a fashion, and business. I still run that till date. I used fashion piece to tell cultural stories.
How do you manage stardom. What is the experience like, can you still go to Balogun market in the Island?
I will be very honest with you. I find it very difficult to adjust because one of the things that comes with being a media personality is you have to understand the way to live. Unfortunately, I am a very different person, I like to do things differently, by saying this now means I might not be able to do this again. I always go to Balogun and Tinubu market and I put on a face mask. I quickly walk into the market and come back. When I used to run my business I go to the market by myself. So, going into the house for a few months and coming back I realized that a lot has changed. I found it difficult to adjust to it. When I wanted to connect I am at my call. All those things I used to do, take public transportation, go to the market or maybe stand at the bus stop because I still want to feel like a regular person. I realized that I will have to do away with somethings for security reasons. It’s slower at the pace, but I have to adjust to it.