My experience in hands of armed robbers —Karen Igho

On-air personality and Big Brother Africa 2012 winner, Karen Igho, in this Interview with JOAN OMIONAWELE, talks about life after BBA, career and other issues. Excerpts
How has it been after BBA?
It’s been wonderful. I give God all the glory. There have been tough times, but I have managed to scale through.

You have remained in the news for various reasons, how have you strived to be relevant?
 Well, I thank God for that; it’s just me being me.

2013 has been lots of glitz for you through endorsements and shows... how are you handling it?
I have been handling it good so far. It hasn’t been easy. I’m always up and down, at times, I have no time to rest, but through God’s grace, I have remained strong.

You were robbed recently, what exactly happened?
 It happened in Elegushi beach. My friends and I were robbed of so many things. They probably would have stolen the car if it didn’t have security. It was a Range Rover but no be my car o!. I’m thankful that we all came out unhurt and pray  never to experience such again.

How has your latest track ‘Jump and Pass’ with your younger brother, Jason aka Kido, fared in the market?
 It has fared great and we are hoping to release the video soon.

Are you going into the music industry fully or it was a publicity stunt to project your brother into the music industry?
 I like the music industry and maybe I might go into it, maybe not. But that is still a decision I haven’t made or thought of exactly.

Sometimes, even with all the fame and money, do you feel sad?
I am only human. There are good days and bad days. There are times when I am sad and when I’m happy. It’s nothing new.

By now, the glitz for the money you won in BBA Amplified should have gone down. Are you thinking of getting married anytime soon?
 (Laughs) By God’s grace.

What’s next for Karen Igho?
 A lot. But I can’t say much about the future because it’s all in God’s hands. But I can say that there are greater things ahead for me. Watch out for Karen Igho.

You said on twitter during this year’s BBA edition that the people Africans thought were wayward are the ones that are not wayward. What was that about?
 I was just saying so to let Africans know that it’s not good to judge a book by its cover. You know they just see someone and judge the person by their looks. It was nothing personal. It was just a statement and observation.

People think Karen Igho is a sex symbol, how true is that?
(Laughs) That is not true. You are the first to say that.
People also said there is some kind of semblance between you and Beverly, just that you won and she didn’t win, what do you think favoured you?
It was just God.

In your quiet moments, what runs through your mind?
A lot. But I try not to think too much or stress myself too much.
What do you sometimes think you have lost to fame?
Nothing really. I am still the same person I used to be and still have the same friends I used to have. Generally, I still live the way I used to live. I wouldn’t say fame has taken anything from me except probably my privacy.

You have also delved into Nollywood, how many movies have you featured in so far?
I have featured in a couple of movies like “Omo Ghetto 2”, “Blackberry Babes, Reloaded”, and recently “Keeping My Man” with Rukky Sanda.  I was also on the TV soap, Tinsel, recently.

Can you date someone who is in the showbiz world?
I can’t really say, love happens in mysterious ways.

Karen seems to love tattoos; they must have some meaning to you. Can you let us know?
My tattoos are my private life. I’ll rather not speak about them.

People think Karen is saucy and rude. Can you speak on who the real Karen is?
People have the right to think what they want to. Besides, most of the people that think that way are the ones who haven’t met me. If you know me or have met me, you would know I am free, friendly, humble and down to earth because these people made me who I am.

What’s the most expensive item you own?
So far, my house is the most expensive item I own

Do you have any regrets?
None whatsoever.

What do you wish you could change about you?
Absolutely nothing. I love myself the way I am.

Life is a passing phase, in a few years, what do you want to be remembered for?
I would like to be remembered for being a wonderful person. A person who achieved a lot,who went from grass to grace, a person with a good heart, who empowered the youths and women and also helped the underprivileged.

What does style mean to you?
For me, style means ‘classy and simple’. Less is more.

Culled: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE