AFTER spending just less than a month entertaining viewers across Africa, 21-year-old Latoya from Tanzania was the first housemate to be evicted from Big Brother Africa 3.
While in the house, the cosmetology student made quite an impact – on the guys, at least. Initially it seemed that Morris from Uganda had stolen the flirty young lady’s heart but it wasn’t long before Angolan playboy Ricco muscled out Morris.
Latoya spent much of her time pampering fellow housemates, doing their hair and make-up and practising her manicure and pedicure skills on the guys and the girls. At the end of the day though, she was probably best known for being one hell of a flirt. She loved dancing and being the centre of attention. NATASHA UYS chatted to her shortly after her eviction:
Was there an initial connection between you and Morris or was your close relationship simply a matter of strategy?
I wasn’t really attracted to him, but there was a bit of a connection. It’s usually the case that when you get into a new group or social situation, you will connect with one person, while getting to know the rest slowly. That is the way it was for me and Morris. We could talk and would still joke around – even after there was nothing romantic going on between us.
And with Ricco?
He was sexy and fun and things just happened. I was mostly just having fun, playing the game.
Do you regret allowing Ricco into your bed so quickly?
No. Not at all.
If you had the chance to go back into the house, what would you do differently?
I would have been more aware of who was a real friend and who was not. I would, perhaps have handled certain people differently but at the end of the day I would have just gone in there and kept on playing the game but just with a little more caution.
Are you surprised that Ricco, as Head of House at the time, did not save you from possible eviction?
To be honest, I realise that Ricco had a really, really hard decision to make. Even before he became HOH, we chatted about it and he got really emotional and explained to me that he thought the best thing to do would be to let fate decide. So after that I didn’t expect him to save me. I was really fine with it.
Some might think that you started flirting with Ricco only after he became HOH. That your hooking up with him had more to do with strategy?
No way. Trust me. People out there will always have something to say. If I had gotten closer to anyone else in the house, they would have also had something to say.
Do you think your being voted out had anything to do with the backlash against Tanzania being in the finals in BBA1 and BBA2?
Yes, I can possibly see that it could have been the case. Perhaps people wanted to see how the game would be without a Tanzanian in the house.
Do you think Africa has double standards where women and men are concerned?
I believe that everybody has a right to their own opinions. I cannot force anyone to see things the way I do. I can only try to educate them.
So, where to from here?
I am heading back to Tanzania tomorrow and I am looking forward to seeing my friends and family and, of course, my eviction party. Once all the hype dies down I plan to finish my cosmetology studies and then get myself into the entertainment industry.
As an actress or a make-up artist?
Both, I could definitely do both.
* Check the action on DStv channel 198, the daily shows on Channel 102 at 20h00 and e-mail your views and opinions to bba@namibian.com.na
