“My Parents Named Me Blessing But I Never Felt Any Sense Of Blessing In My Life” – BBNaija Star, Phyna

 

Big Brother Naija Season 7 (Level Up) winner, Ijeoma Josephine Otabor, popularly known as Phyna, recently opened up about her childhood and the struggles she faced growing up.

In an emotional interview, Phyna revealed that her parents named her Blessing, a name she initially despised because she never felt blessed in her early years.

She shared that she often had to beg for love—from her family, friends, and even in relationships—and sometimes faced curses instead of support.

Reflecting on her teenage years, she described her upbringing as crazy, noting that she lacked many of the opportunities and comforts that other teenagers enjoyed.

Despite these challenges, Phyna said she always believed she was destined for greatness and often reminded her extended family that one day, they would see her success on television and witness her financial independence.

“The name given to me by my parents is Blessing. My reason for hating that name was that I didn’t see a sense of blessing in my life.

"It felt like I was always begging for love—family love, friendship, even in relationships. In fact, sometimes it felt like they used it to curse me. Growing up was very crazy.

"As a teenager, there are things you could get from parents and family, but I didn’t have that. I knew I was going to be big.

"I would always tell my aunts, even when they maltreated me, that one day they would watch me on TV and see me with money.”

Phyna also showcased her Phoenix tattoo on her back, explaining that it symbolizes her resilience and strength. She said it represents her journey through life’s hardships, a reminder that, like a Phoenix, she has risen, rebuilt, and soared higher than ever before.