Former Big Brother Naija housemate Samuel Jacob, popularly known as Sammie, has opened up about his emotional and financial struggles since leaving the reality TV show.
In a heartfelt video shared on Instagram, Sammie revealed that life after fame was not as glamorous as many assume, admitting that he battled depression multiple times while trying to adjust to reality outside the show.
Despite public perception of success, the reality star said he often cried alone in his Lekki apartment, feeling overwhelmed by the pressures of life in Lagos.
“A year after the show, I lost count of how many times I felt depressed. I would sit alone in my house in Lekki and just cry. A grown man like me with beards, crying and asking God why. Some days I’d thank Him, other days I’d just break down,” he said.
Sammie explained that financial instability deepened his struggles, as he found it difficult to sustain the lifestyle expected of a celebrity.
“There was barely money coming in, but I still had a life to maintain. It messed with my head,” he admitted, noting that he received more debit alerts than credit alerts.
He also shared that leaving university for Big Brother Naija disrupted his plans and left him uncertain about his future.
“I was in Lagos, trying to live up to the ‘star boy’ tag, but there was no real income,” he said.
Reflecting on moments of comparison and self-doubt, Sammie described feeling left behind as others around him appeared to be thriving.
“You’d see young guys pulling up in their G-Wagons while I will now chop my indomie, wear my fine shirt, and nobody will know what I’m going through,” he added.
His candid revelation has sparked widespread empathy from fans and fellow ex-housemates, many of whom praised him for his honesty and vulnerability about the mental health challenges that often accompany sudden fame.
