Phyna Sends Heartfelt Message to Imisi Amid Public Rift With Her Mother
Big Brother Naija star Phyna has extended emotional support to fellow BBNaija winner Imisi, who is currently embroiled in a public disagreement with her mother. The message, shared via X on Monday, comes as Imisi faces intense online scrutiny over claims made by her family.
In her post, Phyna wrote:
“To Imisi, @imisiofficial and to anyone walking through the same fire… I’m praying for your strength. My own experience broke me, but I’m slowly rising. And I’m rooting for you with everything in me. Don’t handle it like I did, build strong and focus on you baby girl.”
Her words come as many Nigerians compare Imisi’s situation to Phyna’s own family drama, which also became public after her win in 2022.
The Family Rift: Imisi’s Mother Speaks Out
The controversy began after Imisi’s mother went online to accuse her daughter of:
sidelining her after winning N150 million,
recounting what she described as “false stories” about parental neglect and sexual assault,
and failing to take care of her despite being financially capable.
In a video that quickly went viral, Imisi’s mother showed the old house she still lives in, adding that she does not need her daughter’s money, a statement that further fuelled public debate.
Responding in Yoruba, Imisi begged her mother to avoid escalating the issue:
“Just overlook everything and leave social media. Don’t worry, I will send you money to rent a new house. I am tired of all this drama… Please forgive me, I am your daughter.”
She also implied that her mother was being influenced by outsiders, stating:
“This is why Aunty Debola said you should not show your face to the world.”
A Familiar Story: Phyna’s Similar Experience
Many Nigerians recall that after Phyna won BBNaija in 2023, her father, Felix Otabor, publicly accused her of sidelining him as well.
He claimed she:
told him to stop working as a hearse driver,
advised him to sell his cars—promising to support him afterwards,
and then allegedly cut him off, leaving him in financial distress.
He described feeling abandoned while his daughter enjoyed her newfound fame.
Opinion: Fame, Family, and the Pressure BBNaija Winners Don’t Prepare For
This latest episode between Imisi and her mother brings back an uncomfortable truth: fame changes everything—especially family dynamics.
Time and time again, BBNaija winners emerge into wealth, attention, sudden fame, and—sometimes—resentment from those closest to them. Families who once struggled together suddenly expect financial transformation overnight. When expectations don’t match reality, bitterness surfaces.
But the deeper problem is public judgment. Once these disputes hit social media, it becomes a spectator sport. Everyone chooses a side, often forgetting these are real people, real wounds, real relationships.
What stands out most is Phyna’s honesty. Her message shows that even after the fame fades, the emotional scars remain. She isn’t just giving advice to Imisi—she’s speaking from a place of pain and lived experience.
Her words underscore a truth society often ignores:
Money does not erase old wounds, fix complicated families, or instantly create peace.
And fame can make existing fractures even wider.
In the end, we can only hope both women find healing, privacy, and understanding away from the noise. BBNaija may give you money and fame—but navigating family afterwards is a different kind of challenge, one the show never prepares its winners for.
