Life Before BBNaija: Meet Bluethopia, the 22-Year-Old Creative With a Love for Fashion & Photography

Before Bluethopia became one of the housemates in Big Brother Naija Season 11, she was already building a creative life around fashion, photography and modelling. Now that she is in the Show Ya Sef house, there is a lot more to discover about the 22-year-old beyond the name we see on screen.

Born in Adamawa State and raised in Kaduna, Bluethopia, whose real name is Usaku Keren Bantai, comes from a Fulani and Cuban background. She describes her upbringing as tough, and says growing up in that environment taught her to be street-smart, appreciate what she has and learn how to avoid being taken advantage of. That background is part of what shaped the woman she is today: someone who describes herself as authentic, hot and stylish.

Bluethopia reflecting her Adamawa roots and northern Nigerian upbringing in traditional patterned attire.

Creativity runs through almost everything Bluethopia does. Before BBNaija, she was working as a model, photographer, fashion designer and stylist, while also pursuing her education as a student. So, while the Big Brother Naija platform may be introducing her to millions of viewers, she is certainly not new to expressing herself through fashion and visual creativity.

In fact, self-expression is a big part of why she decided to enter the house. Bluethopia sees BBNaija as the biggest platform in Africa and, having reached the eligible age to participate, she wanted to use the opportunity to build a name for herself while allowing people to meet Usaku beyond the carefully curated version they might see elsewhere.

“I want the world to see me, Usaku, for what and who I am, pure and unfiltered,” she said, explaining that she hopes the platform will allow her to showcase her…