I feared poverty -White Money, Big Brother Naija Season 6 winner The winner of Big Brother Naija Season 6, Hazel Oyeze Onuo, also known as...
I feared poverty -White Money, Big Brother Naija Season 6 winner
The winner of Big Brother Naija Season 6, Hazel Oyeze Onuo, also known as "White Money," has set himself up in many ways since leaving Big Brother's House.
Today, he has a lot of businesses, but his first love, singing, is what keeps him going. Second, his Smokey Jollof Rice is a dish that people want to eat over and over again.
In this chat with Sunday Sun Celebrities Rendezvous, he talked about his life after Big Brother House, his music, his cooking skills, and his love life, among other things. Excerpt:
What problems did you have to deal with after you left Big Brother's House?
The biggest problem I had was staying stable. I didn't have a manager when I went into the house, so when I got out, I had a lot of fans and a lot of fame, which takes a lot of professionalism to keep up and handle. So, that caused me a lot of trouble. There were a lot of bookings. There was nothing on the ground to help people get out, so it was a bit chaotic. The first three months were a bit chaotic and risky, but by God's help, I was able to pull myself together and get things going for myself.
Would you say it was a blessing for you to go to the Big Brothers House?
I think that's the biggest wonder I've ever had, besides being born. The show has made me who I am. The show has made me known all over the world. The show has made me famous around the world, I'm well-known in society, I have a voice that is heard, I'm seen, I'm known, and I'm admired. None of these things were true of me before Big Brothers. After Big Brother, I changed into someone I never thought I would be. It makes my life and the lives of my family and friends better.
What made you decide to go inside the House?
My past as a poor person made me want to be on Big Brother. Poverty didn't look good on me. (laughs) I have a good body, but I didn't have a good structure. Poverty was the main reason. I had to get up and take action. And because I'm a big-dreaming guy who wants to do big things, I needed a big stage to show off my growing gifts and skills. Big Brother helped me out. Being left behind, being poor, or being broke was one of the main things that drove them.
Before you went to the show, were you a fan of Big Brother?
I was a big fan of Big Brother from Big Brother Africa before I joined Big Brother. I knew everything about the game and how it was played. I also knew everything about the show. "Be yourself" is the most important rule and law of the show. People would still like or dislike you whether you were good or bad.
What do you do after Big Brother?
Since I left Big Brother, I've released four songs officially so far, including Selense, Na We We, Egwu, and Jeda. I quit Jeda on February 3, 2023. It's about love. It's for the time of year. You know that February is a month of love, even though every day is a day of love. However, February is a special month for love. Jeda is an inspiring love song about a man telling a woman how he feels and how he's going to love her. The music and videos came out on February 3, 2023. So far, I've heard nothing but great things.
How did you come up with the idea for White Money Smokey Jollof?
Even though it's not my favourite food, that food has always been a part of me. My songs and my job are at the top of my list. It has always been a part of me. Food is now my second priority. So, I decided to start an online cloud kitchen that is open 24 hours a day. We sell strictly jollify rice, but it's not a regular one. Instead, it's a Smokey one, and we send it to Lagos and Abuja 24 hours a day. So, that's how we came up with the White Money party jollof. It's now up and running, and the trip so far has been amazing. It's been good, it's been an inspiration, and it's been a good way to make money. Eventually, we hope to have a restaurant where people can sit down and eat.
Could you tell us more about yourself, like how you grew up and other things?
My name is Hazel Oyeze Onou. I'm from the town of Awhum in Udi, which is in the state of Enugu. I'm one of four brothers. I'm the only one left. This year, I'll be 32. I am a businessman, as well as an entertainer, singer, and songwriter. I would say I am a serial entrepreneur. I'm a nice guy who loves to cook, drive, make people happy, see people grow, enjoy the good things in life, and love everything God made. I can't believe it. I'm a shy person. I don't like going out much unless it makes me money because living today is expensive. So, if I leave, it has to be worth it. I don't like to fight. I try to keep the peace. I love peace a lot. Swallows, poundo, and ogbono are my best kinds of food. "My party jollof" is a dish from another country.
Where did the name "White Money" come from?
The Holy Spirit gave the name. I would not lie. I used to answer by a variety of names. I remember where that name came from. That is something I will never forget. I asked God for help. At Ojuelegba, I used to try to make money in my shop. No 32 Ojuelegba road. There's where I used to cut hair. I used to be a barber. When I went to bed, I prayed to God, "Please give me a name that will stir up trouble." So, when I woke up, the name "White Money" was stuck in my mouth. I didn't know what it meant, but I remembered my last prayer, so I guess it's my name. When I got to the salon the next morning, I told everyone to call me "White Money" from now on. Since 2012, it has stayed that way. The name started to be known on the street. By the grace of God, the name became known to everyone in 2021.
What tips do you have for young people?
Honestly, the sky is a very big place. Everyone can fit in it. No matter what people did to you, you should never give up on your dreams. I still get hate comments. Still, people talk trash. He's singing, but why? Never stop trying to reach your goals. Always spend time with people who are good for you. Friends and family have a big effect on what you do for a living. How far you go in life depends on who your friends are. It's better not to have any friends than to have the wrong ones. If you had the wrong friends, you would always do the wrong things, but you need the right people to make your dreams come true. I promise you that one day, the whole world will know your name, no matter what you do, as long as your hands are clean, you believe in God, and you do it with all your strength and might. God will tell everyone about you. The key to success is to stay the same.
What life lessons have you learned?
I've learned that whatever goes up must also come down. So be fair to everyone. Life isn't fair, and you don't know what will happen tomorrow, so you should live every day like it's your last. I learned that money is just a number and that what really matters is your character. Keep your loyalty at all times. Let people be able to vouch for you, speak on your behalf, and talk about you like they would if you were there. Don't try to get the money first. Follow your morals and learn as much as you can, and when money comes, you'll know what to do with it. When you try to get money and don't have all of these things, you will make mistakes.
You are a celebrity, do you still relate with your friends at Ojuelegba?
I like people who are kind and helpful. I can't connect with everyone. There's no way to connect with everyone. That is what life is all about. When you go up, you can't take a lot of people with you. Even more so when they don't want to leave where they were. Then you can only do whatever you want for them. But if you know someone who wants to leave, you help them. I talk to a few of them, but not all of them, to be honest. "Even though I got hurt, I still have a limp. I never sit still." I need to check how much I'm holding so I don't trip and fall."
You didn't have a lover while you were in the House. Any woman now?
I don't have a woman in my life right now, but I'm looking for one. I hope she will say yes. I've been after her for over a year. Never did she agree. "No bi say she's going to get a boyfriend, o. I'm only praying for her." If she says yes, I'm fine. Only that one woman is what I want. The person I really want has turned me down. Since I won, I've been after her. "E don't make it to a year."
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