Hiding marital status from housemates was not a strategy — Kellyrae

Kingsley Sule Oritsetimehin, aka Kellyrae, is a 33-year-old graduate of Delta State University and singer, who made his debut in the country’s music industry in October 2020 with an EP, titled, Success, which featured artistes such as Erigga and Graham D. On July 28, 2024, Kellyrae entered the Big Brother Nigeria (BBNAIJA) television reality show with his wife, Kassia Sule. Kellyrae from the Double Kay Pair emerged as winner of Big Brother Naija season 9 reality television show tagged ‘No Lose Guard’ on Sunday, October 6, 2024. He speaks with ENIOLA DANIEL during N60 million and Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) prize presentation in Ilupeju, Lagos. 

At what point did you feel confident you were going to win?
At no point did I feel confident that I was going to win, but my confidence grew every week that passed. I was scared in the first two weeks, and was just happy that I could stay in the house for the second week. When I got to the fifth week, I just said ‘God, take all the glory, whatever happens from here, thank you’.

I only prayed to be in the house for the first and second weeks. I thought to myself about the essence of coming if we leave in the first or second week, I prayed that we have to leave with something and leave something behind. It’s what we leave behind people will talk about

Even if we leave with all the money, it is what we leave behind people will talk about, and those are the things that open more doors for us. We were here for the first week, second week, third week, fourth week, and after that, anything that happens, God takes all the glory. I didn’t know I was going to win; if I were told to predict the winner, I was sure I would not have mentioned my name.

What was the strategy that helped you?
I told Big Brother during one of my diary sessions that I had no idea of what had kept me in the house because I didn’t know what was happening outside. My wife only told me after the show that we were loved outside

What helped you stay focused after your wife was evicted?
I applauded her when she was leaving because she did well, she had a good run. I felt bad but I still thanked God.

Was hiding your marital status from housemates a strategy?
That wasn’t a strategy to get me to the final; it was a strategy for my wife and me to connect with people. There was a time Onyeka, Handi and I danced during the party, so, if I’d come out as a married man, they wouldn’t have been free with me. They were giving Tjay space; they were not dancing with him. The guys wouldn’t have danced with my wife too and I didn’t want that. I wanted to connect, with housemates, so, it was not a strategy.

How do you intend to balance fame with your marriage?
Before we came on the show, I knew what to expect, and I discussed it with my wife. I told her that life would not be the same anymore. This is what we should expect, so, it’s fine; we are ready for it. I got married to my wife in February 2024, but in my mind, I’ve been married to her longer before then so, we will find our way around it.

Will this victory impact your life? 
I’d already felt the impact of the show on my life and my career before I won, so, in my head, even if I didn’t win, when I got to the fourth or fifth week, I had achieved something. It’s all about what I do with it.

What impact do you think this will have on your career, especially your musical career? 
People often say coming into the Big Brother House does not mean your musical career will blossom, but I’m different. I have made history. The money is married for the first time. That’s one.

We make history. So, this is Kellyrae, this is no one else. 
How do you intend to share the money with your wife and your co-contestants?
Don’t worry about the sharing. We will have a meeting and we’ll talk about it. My wife is the secretary and the treasurer of the company. We’ve been calling her the secretary and treasurer since the first time I released my EP, so, we’ve been holding this in faith. So, she’s locked in. That’s her position.

Can you describe how you felt when you were declared the winner? 
My brain is still processing, I won’t lie. I could not sleep the night I was declared the winner. At some point, I looked at the mirror. At a point, I told myself, okay, being a millionaire looks good on you, though; someone who, from nothing, and then, boom, N60 million and one IVM SUV.