Erica Nlewedim, a prominent figure from the Big Brother Naija reality show, has opened up about enduring three years of relentless online insults following her participation in the show. In a recent interview on Toke Moment, Erica discussed the emotional toll that the constant criticism took on her mental health, revealing that she eventually sought therapy to cope with the anxiety it caused.

The actress, who was a contestant in the 2020 edition of BBNaija, explained that she initially underestimated the impact of the negative comments on her well-being. "I was getting like three years of back-to-back insults. I had to see a therapist because of that show," she stated. Erica noted that the barrage of notifications and comments on social media made it increasingly difficult for her to maintain her mental health, leading to heightened anxiety.

Reflecting on her experience, Erica shared, "At first, I didn’t know that it was getting to me. It was like after three years of back-to-back insults. When I open Instagram, I just see notifications. I was always anxious, and I don’t like that." This admission highlights the often-overlooked mental health challenges faced by reality TV stars after their time in the limelight.

In 2024, Erica decided to take a step back from acting to prioritize her mental health, during which she sought professional help. "I went to therapy in 2024. 2024 was my quiet time. I didn’t act in any movie," she explained. This break allowed her to reflect on her experiences and address issues she had previously ignored. "I just decided to take a break in 2024. It was just last year I decided to start coming back. I’m happy I did that because there were a lot of things that I didn’t even realise were affecting me," she added.

Despite the emotional challenges, Erica acknowledged the financial benefits that came from her time on the reality show. "I’ll never go to a show like Big Brother Naija again in my life. I’m happy I did it because, of course, it changed my life money-wise, but I’m never doing it again if I’m given the opportunity," she stated. Her comments resonate with the experiences of other former BBNaija contestants, such as Mercy Eke, who have also expressed mixed feelings about their time on the show.

Erica's revelations shed light on the significant pressures that reality TV participants face, particularly regarding public scrutiny and the lasting effects of online criticism. As more contestants share their stories, it is becoming increasingly clear that the journey beyond the show can be fraught with challenges that extend well into their post-reality TV lives.