Former Big Brother Naija star Erica Nlewedim has remained one of the recognisable names to emerge from the reality show, years after her appearance on the 2020 Lockdown edition. Popularly known as Star Girl, Erica has continued to build her career in entertainment, moving from reality television into acting, modelling, fashion and brand partnerships, while maintaining a strong presence on social media.
Erica was already building a career before Big Brother Naija. She started modelling professionally in 2013 and later participated in the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant, where she won the Miss Photogenic title in 2014. She also worked with brands including Nature’s Gentle Touch, Zaron Cosmetics, Access Bank, Globacom, Jumia and Peak Milk.
Acting was also part of her career before reality television. She began acting professionally in 2015 and appeared in productions including Secrets and Scandals, My Flatmates, The Paternity Deal and Hire A Woman. In 2019, she further developed her acting skills by studying Acting for Film at MetFilm School in London. However, it was her appearance on Big Brother Naija in 2020 that took her popularity to another level.
Erica quickly became one of the most talked-about housemates of the Lockdown season and attracted a large following during and after the show. Although her time in the house ended with her disqualification after receiving three strikes for multiple infringements of the rules, the attention around her did not end with the show. Her supporters, known as the Elites, have remained an important part of her journey, continuing to celebrate her projects and achievements.
Since leaving the Big Brother Naija house, Erica has also turned her popularity into commercial opportunities. She has worked with brands including Star Radler, Legend Extra Stout, Kuda Bank, Swarovski and Samsung, among others.
Her relationship with Samsung is one of her more recent major brand associations. In July 2026, she was announced as a Samsung Nigeria ambassador after three years of working with the company as a collaborator.
Beyond endorsements, Erica has continued to build her acting career. She has appeared in films including Devil in Agbada and more recently starred alongside Maurice Sam in What Love Is, released on YouTube in September 2026.
Her digital presence has also remained a major part of her relevance. Erica has millions of followers on her social media platform, giving her one of the larger audiences among former Big Brother Naija housemates. Her social media pages regularly attract engagement from fans who continue to follow her career, fashion and personal projects.Erica has also been involved in entrepreneurship and philanthropy. In 2018, before Big Brother Naija, she founded the Erica Nlewedim Foundation, which focuses on helping underprivileged children. She has also been associated with Beluxia Hair as its CEO. What has kept Erica in the spotlight is not just the fame she gained from Big Brother Naija, but what she has done with that visibility since leaving the show.
Promise Babatunde
