Why I did BBL amid family grief – Phyna

Media personality and Big Brother Naija Season 7 winner, Ijeoma Otabor, popularly known as Phyna, has addressed criticism over her decision to undergo Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) and 360 Lipo surgery, months after the death of her sister, Ruth Otabor.

Speaking during an Instagram livestream on Saturday, Phyna described her critics as hypocritical, stressing that she had already grieved privately and does not owe anyone a public display of her personal pain.

“I just woke up, but I want to quickly come and address something. Sorry, I have to say most Nigerians are hypocrites. And I have a lot of miserable people in my comment section,” she said.

Phyna emphasised that mourning is personal and warned critics not to involve her late sister in the controversy.

“I don’t grieve my sister online. She will always remain in my heart. But one thing people will never see is me come online to cry and post that I miss my sister. Don’t try to bring my sister’s death into this. I lost a sister. I lost one of my favourite siblings. And it is none of your damn business,” she stated.

She also defended her family’s decision to resume normal life shortly after Ruth’s burial, noting that life continues even amid loss.

“People will bury and move on the next day. They moved on on the 1st. Like, they don’t stop living,” she added.

Phyna denied allegations that she received N1 billion from the Dangote Group in connection with her sister’s death, calling such claims false and misleading.

“When a person says they gave me one billion, I did not do the BBL for that. I just don’t want to address it, but I keep seeing it in my feed and it is disgusting,” she said.

Unapologetic about her surgery, Phyna explained that she was motivated by online criticism of her body and is eager to showcase her new look.

“I have been learning how to catwalk. I got new outfits that will show my breasts, my tummy, everything. People should use all their weapons now. Small, small. I am coming,” she said.

She concluded on a confident note, expressing satisfaction with her results:

“Thank you for dragging the stomach. Thank you so much. And now I actually like it,” she added.

Ruth Otabor passed away on August 31, 2025, following a road accident involving a Dangote truck that left her with severe injuries. The incident sparked widespread public discussion and a subsequent clash between Phyna and social commentator VeryDarkMan over the handling of the case.