‘It was very toxic’ — Chioma Ikokwu recounts experience on RHOL

Chioma Ikokwu, the Nigerian entrepreneur, says the Real Housewives of Lagos (RHOL) reality show was “an extremely toxic environment” for her.

The lawyer, who is popularly known as Chioma Good Hair, reflected on her stint on the show in a recent interview with Chude Jideonwo, the media personality.

Ikokwu said while she enjoyed some parts of the show, she did not like the majority of it because of its toxicity.

“I enjoyed some parts of RHOL, like the fun activities. But in most parts, I didn’t. If you are having fun, you are having fun, and anyone who knows me knows that I like to have a good time,” she said.

“For a lot of the activities we had, I actually genuinely enjoyed it. I felt like I met one or two amazing people and that was interesting. Also, It challenged me, physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally.

“But, it was a very toxic environment and my real life is not toxic at all. I don’t have anybody around me that is negative or jealous or has an unsolicited opinion. I don’t have people like that around me. To be subjected to that kind of thing day in and day out, where I can’t avoid you is very toxic, it is unnecessary.”

Ikokwu also lamented the controversies that trailed the show, describing it as “embarrassing”.

“For me, it was just embarrassing. Looking at the person that I am, and the family that I came from, this is not something that I have ever even engaged in… All the back and forth could have been avoided. What did we teach young girls? People come to me, and say things,” she said.

Asked if she regretted being on the show, she quipped: “some days I will just wake up and wonder what possessed me to be in the show, where even when there is the violence they don’t mind. Other times, I see that it also gave people an opportunity to see different sides of me, before that it was just on Instagram, and people kind of thought that I was so stuck up.”

During the interview, Ikokwu denied insulting Toyin Lawani, the celebrity stylist, on the show as alleged.

“At no point did I ever insult Toyin’s business ever. There was never a time I’ll ever insult her business,” she said.

The entrepreneur also said she asked Caroline Danjuma to apologise to Iyabo Ojo on the show because the latter stood for her on several occasions.

“Iyabo was really close to Caroline, maybe not so much on camera but they were actually really close. So Iyabo was always looking out for her and giving her advice like her elder sister/ motherly figure and it’s like this person has just been there for you when she didn’t have to,” she added.