How Dede went from underdog to first runner-up
Big Brother Naija Season 10 ended on Sunday night with Imisi taking home the coveted N150 million grand prize.
Yet one of the night’s biggest surprises was 23-year-old Precious Ashiogwu, better known to fans as Dede, who rose from early scepticism to finish as first runner-up among 29 housemates polling 15.9 per cent of total votes.
When the season began, few viewers considered Dede a serious contender. Early conversations focused more on her appearance than her gameplay on Instagram and other platforms.
Her beauty, physique, and confident fashion sense made her instantly recognisable, but many dismissed her as just another “pretty face” in the house.
Dede’s striking looks drew attention from several male housemates and fans alike. During one live eviction show, host Ebuka Obi-Uchendu even teased her after she jokingly referred to some male contestants as her “fish.”
But behind the glamour, her quiet composure and steady performance were already beginning to shift opinions.
The first runner-up rise, however, became most visible among younger viewers who found her fashionable and relatable, according to some posts shared on X.
Based on how many fans referred to her beauty when she was first introduced into the house, few looked beyond that until the season reached its midpoint.
Rise of the underdog
Around the fifth to sixth week, when alliances began to reshuffle, fans started noticing more than Dede’s looks. Her consistent task wins and quiet confidence began to overturn how viewers saw her.
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The Delta State native’s growth was also visible online. She now boasts over 229,000 followers on Instagram, reflecting how her fan base grew organically throughout the show. Fans supported her not just because of her beauty but also because she represented calm strength and quiet intelligence, qualities she displayed during tasks, wagers, and her interactions in the house.
Dede’s journey on Big Brother Naija Season 10 illustrates how public perception can shift. Her growth captured what keeps the show unpredictable, from being noticed mainly for her appearance to emerging as a symbol of quiet determination.
Her story reminds us that persistence, self-awareness, and consistency can change first impressions in the Big Brother house and in everyday life.