For Beverly Osu, 2013 saw a huge rise to fame for the lingerie model and video vixen as she was picked as one of the contestants to represent Nigeria in the eight season of Big Brother Africa, The Chase where she pulled off a contentious show, enough to leave viewers speechless. The Delta State born model speaks with Adetutu Audu
EFORE Big Brother, you were well known in the Nigerian entertainment industry for being a music video model. What is the secret of your success?
I think, first is God and then, my charisma. Some of the videos I have done, some of my friends will say “no, they can’t pay me 10,000 Naira oh!” I look at who is shooting the video, the concept of the video and what I’m meant to do. On set, I put in so much work. In the business of being a model, I went all out. I’m not like most girls who have done like 25 videos before they got noticed; I got noticed from 2. From there, I started hosting fashion shows and making appearances to increase my visibility. I won so many awards for being a model. I worked so hard that I lost weight.
How did you get started as a music video model?
From the age of 16, my cousin told me that I had to get into modeling and then, I was a size 12. I was really reluctant to go for auditions because then, I thought the modeling industry was about who is sleeping with who. I started by just carrying friends for video shoots. I remember there was a stylist I was helping for Djinee’s “Overkilling” music video and all of sudden; she said I should be in the video. That was my first ever music video and based on that relationship, I was in Ice Prince’s “Oleku” video next.
All these people, from Djinee to Ice Prince, they believed in me and believed it was just the beginning for me. Being a video girl is not really a good reputation but they told me I could stand out. So, sometimes, I would want to do a video and they would be against it. They were there for me. It was not all about the money, you have to pay your dues first.
Now that you are a lot slimmer, how do you manage to sustain your weight?
I don’t go to the gym. I do a lot of dancing and sweat it out. I don’t eat much either.
How was the Big Brother experience for you?
Spending time in the house has greatly influenced my lifestyle. I have changed in a lot of ways. I am cutting down on friends because I have too many of them— home and abroad. Also, I have always been a very impatient person but staying in the Big Brother house has changed all that for me. The experience taught me to tolerate people
because a lot of them annoyed me in that house. While I was there, I learnt that good things come to those who wait. It was difficult initially because I was always conscious of the cameras but I had to live with it. It was a beautiful experience. I had to adapt to different situations. I had to learn how to tolerate people. And, I learnt that I could be patient. I’m very observant and the house made me even more that. Even though I always jumped around and played, I knew everybody’s move to the extent that they started calling me ‘propaganda’ (laughs). I’m always alert and active so I could never be left behind. In the house, I learnt so many things about different African countries because I was very arrogant. At first, I didn’t want to know anything about any other countries. I’m from the best country in Africa, Nigeria, so I was thinking that every other country should just chill but, I learnt so much about them. Getting to close to people from other African countries was a beautiful experience for me.
So, what is post-Big Brother Beverly Ada Osu like. And how have you been managing your fame?
First, my personality has changed. There are some things I can’t do outside. I’m a really playful and jumpy person and before, I could just walk up to a stranger and say ‘hi!’ but now, I can’t do those things. My management reminds me that I can’t do some things.
It’s not as if the fame or anything is not letting me be myself. I am myself but in a very reserved way. I am conscious of my image; I can’t be lousy. It’s actually a nice grooming. It’s teaching me how to carry myself.
What have you been up to lately?
I have been living my life to the fullest. I have been investing my time and energy into my craft.
Your comment on Banky W’s proposal to Adesua was well received. What were you trying to pass across?
I love good news and Banky and Adesua’s proposal was a breath of fresh air. We have too much of unnecessary negativity on social media. We need things and stories that lift our spirits with joy not news that makes us ponder a lot. Yes, that was why I had to celebrate them.
From doing music videos and being an MC at fashion shows, do we see you making your own music?
I cannot sing to save my life. I don’t know. If music comes later in the future, may be, because I write a lot of poems so if it comes my way, I might take it.
You have an NGO that takes care of people in the slum. What motivates that?
I think it was while I was on a movie set in Ajah. I saw these young guys filling a canoe with sand. So, I approached them, trying to know how much they got for the job. One of them said it was N500. Right there I knew I would do something to help some of them. After my movie shoot, my project manager and I came up with the project. We decided to start from Port Harcourt and by the grace of God; we will touch lives in every part of the country. It has been years now.
You are part of the celebrities for one million march against drug abuse, what informed that?
As a youth, I know about drug abuse. It is not about carrying cocaine alone. It still boils down to massive intake of drugs. It is not right because it forms crystals in the body which most youth don’t know. If you are with a sane mind, you will be able to do more but once under the influence of drugs as means of avoiding pains, it becomes wrong. I believed we should start from the pharmacist on the road. Once your client doesn’t have a prescription, don’t sell drugs to him or her. Thus, as a means of mobilizing support towards anti-drug abuse rally tagged One Million Man March against Drug Abuse in Lagos, initiated by NDLEA’s ambassador, Lamboginny, I gave my voice and support.
You are staring as Mercy in Jenifa’s Diary. What did this means to you?
I must say that this year has brought a lot of growth in my mentality, my career, and most importantly my relationship with God. My happiest year ever.
People tends to see you has being controversial. What is your take?
I am responsible for what I said not what people understand. If I am still on their mind since the BBA experience, it means I am still relevant. And that means Nigerians are hypocrite.
You still maintained that you made Nigeria proud in the house but Nigerians don’t see it like that. Can you shed more light on that?
If Nigerians don’t believe I made them proud I would suggest such people be involved in such a reality TV show and know how it feels. I forgot about the cameras but I don’t know what they would do.
Describe your style
I like simplicity in style. I am not a flirty dresser and the items that can never be missing in my wardrobe are bum shorts and tank tops. These are what I wear on a daily basis.
