Ijeoma ‘Mercedes’ Emi, a former BBNaija ‘Show Ya Sef’ housemate, has opened up about how she began pole dancing not as a hobby, but as a means of survival.
Mercedes, who was evicted alongside fellow contestant Martins last Sunday during season 11, shared her journey in a recent interview with TheCable Lifestyle.
Recalling how she first encountered pole dancing, Mercedes explained that she initially saw it in a movie and was drawn to it as an alternative workout. Pole dancing was a means of survival for me; it wasn’t something I planned or did for fun.
I saw it in a movie and thought it was interesting, so I tried it as a form of exercise. Eventually, I explored the more sensual aspects of pole dancing, and that’s how my journey began,” she said.
Over time, pole dancing has grown into a passion for Mercedes, bringing her both physical and mental rewards.
Now, I genuinely enjoy it because it boosts my confidence and makes me more flexible. I used to be quite stiff, but pole dancing tones my body. Even if I skip the gym for months, it feels like I’m still lifting weights,” she added.
The 2026 BBNaija season premiered on July 26 with 24 housemates. This year’s winner is set to take home a record-breaking grand prize of N160 million, the largest in the show’s history since its inception in 2006.
