Carol Arhere
17 August 2008
interview
Francisca Owumi was the last woman standing in the first-ever Big Brother Nigeria reality tv show. She was the most memorable house mate because of her entertainment in the house. Francisca who entered the Big Brother House as the youngest and the most unexposed girl, has suddenly transformed into a style icon and a society woman since the show. In a recent chat, she spoke about the sudden transformation and her talk show which is about to hit the screen any moment from now. Francisca who admires Victoria Beckham and Eva Longoria Parker, cannot trade any thing for her earrings and her baby phat shoes.
Since you left the Big Brother House, what have you been up to?
I have been into a couple of things that I don't want to let out of the bag in a hurry. But, the one every one knows, at the moment, is the talk show. I'm into a talk show that I have been recording for quite some time now and hopefully, it will hit the screen soon.
We saw a very quiet and naive girl in Big Brother. But sitting with me here is a full grown style icon and society woman. What's the gist behind the sudden transformation?
Actually, before I got into Big Brother, I was this mellow and cool girl but when I got out of the House, it gave me a new personality entirely. Not that it changed me negatively, but it gave me a new perspective to life generally. I could be cool headed at one point in time and I can also be crazy at another point but generally, I have been really crazy when it comes to fashion. I have just been myself lately; don't really care about what people think or say about me. I do my own thing the way I want it done and I make sure I enjoy myself as long as I can last and not how long the stardom will last.
As a fashionable person, what influenced your dress sense?
First of all, I influenced myself. Secondly, I have some stylish women that I really envy the way they dress up. I love women like Victoria Beckham and Eva Longoria Parker. These are the two people that I am crazy about. Talking about shoes, I like Sarah Jessica Parker. These three people are crazy when it comes to fashion but they don't care what people say about them; they do their own thing without giving a damn about what people say. They go to any length as far fashion is concerned and people follow them. Locally, I will say Stella Aboderin and Omowunmi Akinifisi. Like I said, I influenced myself too because sometimes, I could wear an outfit that would make people green with envy.
Amongst these people, who would you say is your style icon?
I would go with Victoria Beckham because of her sense of style. She flows with anything that she chooses to wear.
As a fashion-conscious person, how would you define the word: fashion?
Fashion is dressing simply and standing out. You could wear a pair of jeans and a nice top and still stand out. You don't have to go the extra mile; to over stress your self; to wear a 500-dollar outfit to stand out. You could wear a very simple outfit and still stand out. So, fashion, to me, is you complimenting the outfit and not the outfit complimenting you.
So, what are your main fashion items?
I love shoes. I love earrings, wristwatches and bangles but I'm not really a jewelry person. I'm more of shoes and handbags.
With a hundred and fifty thousand naira, which of these fashion items would you pick first?
Oh my God! it has to be a handbag because it can take other things.
How do you make an outfit yours?
I wear things that go with my skin colour; clothes that suits my shape and I jazz it up with my accessories.
What is your most prized fashion item?
My baby phat shoes, I don't joke with them.
High moments?
None at the moment but I believe they are coming very soon.
Dull moment?
I don't have any either.
So, what is your talk show all about?
My talk show is, basically, about giving back to the society that has been there for me since the time of Big Brother; everyone that voted for me while I was in the House. My talk show is not like the other talk shows that have to do with high class thing. The talk show is an avenue for me to talk to the youth because I see my self as an ambassador of the youth. You don't have to be given an award before you see yourself as an ambassador. I can relate with the youth very well and I know how to reach out to them. So with the talk show, I will have a better avenue to meet with them, share their hopes and fears with them. There are some teenagers out there that are not bold enough to come to you with issues bothering them, so with the talk show I will be able to help them to do so. Besides, there are so many talents to be discovered from lots of youth out there; their dreams and aspirations but some of them do not know how to go about it. With the talk show these things will be well taken care of.
What is your message to the youth out there?
Be yourselves. Don't let any one intimidate you. You can make it only if you try.
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