Winner of Big Brother Naija Season 7, Ijeoma Josephine Otabor, popularly known as Phyna, has opened up about the struggles she faced while growing up.
In a recent interview, the reality TV star reflected on her childhood and the challenges she experienced within her family and relationships.
Phyna revealed that the name given to her by her parents is Blessing, but she grew to dislike it because it did not reflect how her life felt at the time.
“The name given to me by my parents is Blessing.
My reason for hating that name was that I don’t see a sense of blessing in my life.”
According to her, growing up was difficult as she often felt she had to constantly seek affection and validation from those around her.
“It felt like I was always begging for love – family love, friendship, even in relationships. Even, in fact, dem don use am curse me.”
She further described her upbringing as extremely tough, noting that many opportunities and privileges that teenagers usually receive from their parents or family members were not available to her.
“All aspects of growing up for me were very cràzy.
As a teenager, there are things you could get from parents and family, but I didn’t have that.”
Despite the hardships she faced, Phyna said she always believed she would become successful and often told her relatives that one day they would see her on television and realise she had made it.
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“I knew for one that I was going to be big.
Growing up, I would always tell my aunts, even when they beat or maltreated me, that I would tell them they would watch me on Television and I would have money”.
Prompt News reports the reality star also pointed to the Phoenix tattoo on her back as a reflection of her life journey. She explained that the symbol represents resilience and her ability to rise above the struggles she encountered.
