Karen Igho Talks About Her First Love

I am the kind of girl that when I am with a guy, I am with a guy. I do not cheat or double date. I stick to one man. I am a faithful, loyal, honest and God-fearing kind of person. When I do anything, I put myself in the person’s shoes. 

I was about 22 years old when I had my first heartbreak. The guy travelled to America, so we had to call it quits. He was a nice person but I had to move on. A lot of things happened. I am from a strict Christian home, so I did not start dating till I was about 19 years old. He was the first person I had sex with. I did not lose my virginity till I was quite old. Because I have a petite figure, people don’t know how old I am. I was 20 years old when I lost my virginity.

I Refused To Have S3x, Bath Unclad In The Big Brother House - Karen Igho

Karen Igho, co-winner of Big Brother Amplified in 2011, tells Ademola Olonilua about her life.

How I feel about a new season of Big Brother Africa starting soon

To be honest, the spotlight cannot be shifted from me because it is God that put me there. I know where I am coming from. Do not forget there is a BBA winner from South Africa already and I am still where I am. The thing is, if people like you, they like you. If they want your star to stop shining, it will. If you are humble, grateful and real with people, you would still on top. If you are bitchy, you will not last long. I am taking corrections from people who have been there like Derenle and Uti. I am trying to learn from them. Whoever emerges as winner, I wish them the best.

Rumours about my friends -Denrele and Uti

This interview is not about them. It is about me, Karen Igho. I am not here to discuss people’s sexuality. It does not concern me.

About my boob job

People need to understand that I did not do it to impress anybody. I did it for me. When I did it, I was young and the reason I did it was because I had lumps; they took out some tissues and in the process, my breasts reduced. At that time and age, I was insecure that I had lumps that could develop into cancer and my boobs were small, so I went to get implants. They are not even that big; sometimes it is my bra that makes them big and people would be talking about my breasts like they have never seen breasts before. I did not do it for anybody. It was for me and because of the way I felt. I really thank God because a lot of women have cancer but mine did not get to that stage. Two of my sisters also had lumps, it is hereditary. My aunt died because of blood cancer, my granddad died because of brain cancer and my uncle died because of eye cancer.

I am partnering NGOs

I am involved with Non Governmental Organisations that are into any type of cancer awareness programme. On my birthday, I went to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital to see kids with cancer. I asked them what they needed and some of them needed a transplant, some needed blood, and I helped the little way I could. I do not limit it to cancer alone. The campaign for HIV and AIDS is also something I am passionate about. There is also the youth empowerment programme too. I see myself as a stepping stone for other youths who are out there struggling; youths who are asking themselves if they can make it because Nigeria is a tough country to live in. Yes, you can make it if you put your mind to it and work hard. Look at me, from nothing to something. I want people to learn from me.

My early days

I grew up in the village. I stayed with my grandmother and we lived in a mud house. Whenever it rained, we would be soaked inside the house. The food we ate then was straight from the bush. I had a lot of bush meat, that is why I love Nigerian food. I call them vintage food. Although I eat international dishes, I prefer Nigerian food. I also like to cook because I learnt it from my mother and my grandmother. My father died when I was 12 years old. Growing up for me was not easy. My dad is from a wealthy family, he is Peter Igho’s brother. It was the situation and circumstance at that point in time. I bet if he was alive he would have seen things in a different way. I was abused as a child, not sexually. I was maltreated because I had to live with relatives. Nobody would treat you like their own. My parents had me when they were young and they had various things they wanted to do. I had to stay with different relatives. I was beaten well.

The Big Brother House experience

I won Big Brother and I am grateful to the people that voted for me. The one I picked on the most was how easily people can be lied to. It is not good. How tabloids fabricated lies and gave them to the public to read and they bought them, without knowing how true those stories were. What I have learnt from life is that it is not good to judge. It is not every girl you see that is a bad girl; because these days, the good girls are now the bad girls and the bad girls are now the good girls. I know that God would always be with me. I could not defend myself but God defended me because if I had got out of the Big Brother House and did not win, I would have been the most hated housemate in Big Brother history. I thank God for making me win and making people see me for who I am. The people saw that there is more to me than meets the eye, I thank God for that. They gave me 91 days to showcase the kind of person that I am and I did and that was what Africa fell in love with.

Being an ex-stripper

Where did you get your source from? Can you please give me evidence and proof? Even the pictures are all ‘photoshop’. It is not fair because at the end of the day, I will want to get married and do some other things. I know when I was in the house, people were expecting me to be the one to have sex, they were expecting me to be the one to shower naked first. With the way I behaved in the house, people could have figured out that I am different from what they have read about me. The only thing I have is my pride and dignity. My privacy and my body are reserved for my future husband. For 91 days, I refused to bath naked, I was using a bikini and lingerie to have my bath. I took about 20 bikinis into the house to have shower with and to protect my pride. Coming out and seeing my own people trying to bring me down made me feel bad. Other African countries were not laughing at me but the writers of the negative stories because they watched me and analysed me based on the way I acted in the house. They concluded that I could not have been the same girl. My fans, the real Karenfied, were really supportive and I am very grateful.

How I was assaulted last year by a policeman

That particular day, it was my friend, Denrele, that invited me to an event and I had to honour his invitation. I had my tag and my invite. I even took a friend, to tell you how many invites I had. I even took my own bouncer. Before the incident happened, my bouncer had been discharged to go home. If he was there, it would not have happened. People always quote what happened that day wrongly. It was a MOPOL officer, not a bouncer that hit me. A policeman in uniform did it to a citizen. The reason I want to talk about it is because no man is allowed to hit a woman just like that. I got to the event and parked, but the guy said he was saving the space for someone and that if I was not going to give him money, I should park somewhere else. I asked if he was for the party and he said ‘yes’.I told him that I was also for the party, but he insisted that I give him money. I told him to let me go to the event and return. When I got back, I saw that my car had been blocked in such a way that I could not move out. He allowed someone else park behind me on purpose because I did not give him money. I told him that I wanted to leave and he should help me look for the owner of the car. He told me he wasn’t working for me. I told him that the event was organised by Smirnoff Ice and they were the ones that hired him; he said ‘yes’. Then I asked why he was angry. He said he would not do anything till I give him money. I told him not to worry that if it was how he wanted it to be done, I would need his name. I think the man did not really know who I was. My friend was even with me, she just got back from the UK. She too was shocked. I asked for his name but he said he would not give me and if I talk anyhow, he would slap me. I asked him if it was because he was holding a gun and putting on a uniform. Before I knew it, the guy gave me a heavy slap. The slap sent me to the floor. My jaw shifted and my face was swollen for a week. I had a concussion on my head. There were witnesses. He threatened he was going to shoot if anyone helped me. When he realised what he had done, and seeing that people were moving towards the scene, he fled. I got his name and told the organisers what happened and they sprang into action. I was traumatised and shocked, I got scared. I told them I was going to sue for what they caused me, but we later settled out of court.

My first heartbreak

I am the kind of girl that when I am with a guy, I am with a guy. I do not cheat or double date. I stick to one man. I am a faithful, loyal, honest and God-fearing kind of person. When I do anything, I put myself in the person’s shoes. I was about 22 years old when I had my first heartbreak. The guy travelled to America, so we had to call it quits. He was a nice person but I had to move on. A lot of things happened. I am from a strict Christian home, so I did not start dating till I was about 19 years old. He was the first person I had sex with. I did not lose my virginity till I was quite old. Because I have a petite figure, people don’t know how old I am. I was 20 years old when I lost my virginity.

A fan that proposed to me

I went for a show in Warri, Facebook Unplugged. I turned him down because then, I just won Big Brother. I did not know him and he just gave me a ring. I said ‘no’ because I did not know him. He could be psychotic, who knows? I think he was playing, though. It was nice of him. At that time, I did not know if he loved me or my money. If he comes now, I will probably consider him because it is about a year and a half now. I have invested the money.

My current relationship

You never know when it comes to relationships. I say so because you can be seeing someone for about a year and it does not work out because it was not meant to be. Maybe because of my busy schedule or my career. I might be seeing someone now, but it does not mean that few months later, I will not be single. At the moment, I am seeing somebody but I want to see how it goes.

By Ademola Olonilua / The Punch

Goldie Stole My Husband - Ifeoma Harvey

Just when you thought the drama is over, more negative stories continue to trail late Goldie Harvey:

"She never knew that one day death would come calling. She rendered that man useless, took all his money and right now Andrew Harvey is lying in the hospital in Malaysia," said Ifeoma.

Few days after an Igbo lady, Miss Nkem said she was happy that Goldie was dead, another woman named Ifeoma Harvey, has come out to say that Goldie stole her husband (Andrew Harvey) from her!

Ifeoma shared her part of the story, claiming that she and Goldie were best friends a while back. According to Ifeoma, Goldie waited for the opportune moment to elope with Andrew Harvey in Nigeria, while he was still married to her (Ifeoma).

Below is what she wrote about Goldie:

"Goldie went to Malaysia to visit the sick man before going to USA (for the Grammys) and came back to meet her mysterious death. Goldie is a liar, pretender and desperado. She wants to get money and fame at all cost...forced her trashy music down our throat, went to BBA and messed up with Prezzo... married woman indeed!

"Why is Andrew posting their so-called marriage pics now? Maybe the charm she used has cleared from his eyes! He should shut the hell up and pray for quick recovery from his sick bed in Malaysia. After that he can go back to London and beg his wife and two kids for forgiveness!"

Why Goldie And I Kept Our Marriage Secret - Andrew Harvey

 

Barely 48 hours after pop singer, Oluwabimpe Susan Harvey, fondly known as Goldie Harvey died, controversy over her marital status continues.

Perhaps because of her music career, the late singer decided to play down her marital affairs, and the desire to participate in the Big Brother StarGame House, without her colleagues treating her as a married woman.

Andrew Leonard Harvey, a senior contract engineer based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and husband of the deceased said everything that happened in the Big Brother House was a game that was long over, after the late singer was evicted.

However, the controversy over the singer’s status has gone viral ever since these fresh facts emerged, including the marriage pictures released on Goldie’s Facebook page by her husband.

Fans of the late singer have been reacting to the ensuing controversy, one of which centres on her alleged romance with Prezzo, a Kenyan rapper and one of the contenders in the BBA StarGame House. He was reported to be in Nigeria on St Valentine’s Day with an engagement ring for the late songstress.

As if that was not enough, another woman, who identified herself as Ifeoma Harvey, is claiming the late singer ‘stole’ her husband. The anonymous lady, who claimed to have two kids for Harvey, said that she was Goldie’s best friend until the deceased seduced the man into a secret wedding in Nigeria.

But the wedding pictures which Harvey posted online do not suggest any thing secret about the union. Both parents and family members were at the wedding which looked elaborate. Harvey’s dad and mum, who flew in from the United Kingdom, were attired in traditional wears during the engagement. There were also evidences of an elaborate church wedding.

Harvey almost dismissed as untrue insinuations that his late wife may have died of drug related ailment. According to him, Goldie never used drugs in the last 10 years that he knew her. They were married in 2005.

Perhaps, apart from the fact that the late singer never wore a wedding band, was part of the reasons people never took her seriously each time she mentioned casually that she was married. Harvey said, even he had not been wearing their wedding ring; adding that it was a matter of choice. “We had wedding bands and swapped them at the church wedding, they were oversize. After the wedding I was on assignment in Houston and took them for resizing. The day of leaving, all my things were stolen from my hired car and I had to delay my journey to get new passport and visa. We both agreed that as the blessed rings had been stolen, we did not want to wear unblessed rings. From there, we decided that neither of us would wear ring again.”

He said, the reason she wasn’t flaunting her marital status was their preference as husband and wife. This, they believed, would keep their private life out of public view. He noted that pictures of their wedding were not displayed in their Ikoyi home, as all the pictures and reference have been kept in the UK.

On the purported engagement ring that Prezzo was meant to give to Goldie on Valentine’s day, Harvey admitted spotting it on the internet, but said, since the Kenyan never knew about him and his marriage to Goldie, it would be difficult to accuse him of poaching: “But now he knows, the family and I would prefer he maintains a low profile and allow us to grieve our loss. The BBA game is over now,” he said curtly, adding that they had asked the ‘lover boy’ not to attend the burial. He said the family is not happy with the development, and that he thought that Prezzo should respect the wishes of her parents.

On why he is just publishing the photographs of their wedding, Harvey said it was the decision taken by him and Goldie’s family and that it was necessary for the world to know everything before the pop singer is buried.

By Akande and Adetutu Audu / The Nation NG

I Asked Goldie To Be Controversial - Husband

Andrew Harvey, the British husband of the late singer and ex-Big Brother Africa housemate, Goldie, has said he had no problems with his late wife’s lifestyle, adding that he even encouraged her to be controversial because it is “marketable.”

In an online interview with SUNDAY PUNCH, Andrew said that his marriage to the singer was a happy one and they had only recently decided to have children together.

Asked if he agreed with Goldie’s controversial behaviour at the BBA house, he  said, “We (Goldie and I) knew the pitfalls of the show and understood the game strategy. I think she did very well, I said ‘make controversy because people love it.’”

Andrew, who is an engineer and has been married to the deceased since 2005, said he decided to stay in the shadows because of the nature of his job.

He said he encouraged Goldie’s lifestyle and wanted her to be happy at all times, adding that he didn’t want to stop her from fulfilling her dreams.

Andrew said he and Goldie had dreams of growing old together and was sad that this was no longer possible.

“Goldie and I preferred this way (secrecy) because I did not want media attention because of my work.  I had no disagreement with her lifestyle and I encouraged her to follow her dreams. We often joked about being together like a pair of old slippers.

“I did not want her to say ‘if only’ when we were wearing those slippers. That was why I encouraged her to live her dreams,” he said.

Andrew, who is an expatriate in Nigeria, denied reports in some quarters that his wife died as a result of substance abuse. He said Goldie had never been involved in hard drug.

Asked about their long-term goals  together, Andrew said Goldie’s demise was very painful because they had agreed last Christmas to have children together.

He said apart from their personal goals, they had planned to set up a charity organisation which would cater for the less privileged.

“We planned to set up a Non-governmental Organisation to help the less fortunate achieve their potential,” he said.

By Eniola Akinkuotu / The Punch

Goldie's Husband Andrew Harvey Shares Their Wedding Photos In Her Memory

Goldie's husband, Andrew Harvey has shared photographs of the couple together. From their wedding photographs to more recent photographs of them together in a Facebook album tagged "Memories of my Darling wife."

According to him, the date was December 8, 2005 for their traditional wedding and December 10, 2005 for their church wedding.

Mr. Harvey also appealed to Prezzo to “Leave our family to grieve in peace. You have caused enough hurt and pain” via his Facebook page. See the pictures below..

Goldie's Husband Issued A Warning To Prezzo

It would have been disappointing if drama did not follow her death. Goldie, the unpredictable Goldie is pulling surprises even in death.

Just last night, a man believed to be her husband emerged, posting intimate pictures on Facebook, sharing same on her twitter handle, and engaging with several curious fans (he even issued a warning to Prezzo, the man many of us have come to know as the late singer’s bonafide partner).

There were rumours she may have been married or involved with an expatriate, but no one could confirm during her lifetime. But what was hidden for years tore the lid and came out last night, with the startling revelation by the man whose name is Andrew Harvey.

While still mourning his wife and preparing to come to Lagos, he was kind enough to speak exclusively with Nigerian Entertainment Today…

So sorry about your loss. And so sorry to be contacting you under this circumstance. Nigerians are shocked to discover, through your FB post, that Goldie was married. I’m wondering if you’ll able to give me more details, and if we can have your permission to print some of the photos in the folder ‘Memories of my darling wife’?

You may print the photos, as for the details it really depends on what it is you’re looking for

Thanks Andrew. Just to clarify a few things

Like?

When did you wed her? And were you still married as at when she passed yesterday?

We wed in December 2005 and were very much married when she passed indeed I was talking to her on arrival in Lagos before the fateful event

I see you moved back to England. Do you have another family?

I work in Malaysia, we have a private home in UK, I do not have a second family

Also did you have kids together?

No kids, we were planning this year

There had been speculation for many years that she was married to an ‘oyinbo’ man. But no one could lay hands on anything. Why did you keep it a ‘secret’?

Our private life is nothing to do with work life, there has to be a balance

How did you hear of her death? I found out you last saw her in December?

I was talking to her on arrival in Lagos before the fateful event

How did you meet her? She must have been very young…

I met her at a friend’s leaving party and fell in love straight away, but had to work hard to persuade her I was genuine

So you will be planning to come here for burial rites…

Yes I have applied for visa and shall come next week

But how did you manage the Prezzo drama?

Prezzo was part of BBA game, just like in the movies, there was nothing to fear

But funny it dragged way beyond BBA

It dragged because the media dragged it, other wise it would have died naturally. Prezzo will say anything to get attention

Do you think he fell in love? And did you ever think Susan liked him for a minute…?

People fall in love and it’s not impossible to love more than one person, but there are different levels. She liked him initially, but began to despise him and distanced herself as he tried to use her she complained he was very manipulative

How did you come about your alias ‘Oyibopeppay?

Oyiiibopeppay is a name used in the villages for white man getting burned in the sun. I used to work in the bush erecting BTS for MTN and Glo

You have direct access to her password? The memories album was posted on her twitter. Or you requested for an admin to post?

I am an official admin. I don’t need any password but my own. It was authorised by Goldie

One last question: so much speculation on cause of death. I see from your facebook timeline that you’ve followed the reports. Have the doctors/family/label told you what the cause of death is?

An autopsy is being carried out and we will await results. The rest is speculation and hearsay

And did she have any medical condition?

She had no medical condition,

Is it true she was in India recently?

She was in Malaysia, we spent Christmas together away from prying eyes

What will you miss most about her?

Everything, she was the most beautiful person I ever met, no moment was wasted. Sweet, intelligent, sexy and a magnificent cook!!!!

And she was a determined young lady…

Very. That’s what I liked about her

Are you originally from England? Was she officially a citizen of your country by marriage? Or that was not concluded?

I’m from England and was processing Nigerian citizenship before I was transferred to Malaysia. Of course she was citizen of UK before we met, she lived and schooled there

She was indeed a star, as I’m sure you’ve seen from the tributes coming from far and near. Even the BBC and Billboard recognise her star

Yes we saw it on BBC news tonight. It is a devastating loss, but I support just as much wherever she has gone to.

May her soul rest in peace

Thank you.

By Victoria Ige / Nigerian Entertainment Today

Prezzo's Sorrowful Poem For Goldie

Kenyan Rapper Jackson Makini a.k.a Prezzo has finally broken his silence on the passing of his Nigerian girlfriend, Goldie Harvey.

In a sorrowful  poem shared on his Facebook page he described his pain at the loss his fellow BBA StarGame contestant.

“God saw you were getting tired, and a cure was not meant to be
 
So he put his arms around you, and whispered come with me
With tearful eyes we watched you, as we saw you pass away
Although we love you deeply, we could not make you stay
Your golden heart stopped beating, hardworking hands at rest
 
God broke our hearts to prove to us...
He only takes the best"

Prezzo and Goldie had been dating since their stint in the Big Brother house.

Goldie Passes On: Official Press Release By Kennis Music

CEO of Kennis Music, the label Goldie was signed on, Kenny Ogungbe issued a statement detailing the final hours of the late singer.

On behalf of Kennis Music, I’m sad to  officially confirm the shocking and untimely  passage of Nigeria’s pop star, Goldie Harvey.  With a  deep sense of loss, we announce the shocking death of our darling music star, Goldie Harvey.

Goldie, 31, died on Thursday after she complained of a severe headache at her Park View residence shortly after her arrival from the United States where she went to witness the Grammy Award. She was rushed to her official hospital, Reddington, Victoria Island, Lagos, where doctors pronounced her dead on arrival.

We consider this period  a gloomy moment for us and the entire Nigerian music industry in view of the circumstance Goldie passed away, the abundance of talent she has exhibited in her but eventful music career  and the various  opportunities her trip to the United States of America would have availed her. She is survived by her  father, step- mother, brothers and sisters.  We deeply sympathize with her family and fans all over the world and  very grateful to all and sundry, especially, the vibrant Nigerian media  for their concern and prompt reportage. We shall keep everybody informed as events unfold as we are still  devastated by the sudden loss.”

Meanwhile, the remains of  Goldie, who hails from Ekiti State has been deposited in the mortuary of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos.  Goldie represented Nigeria at the Big Brother StarGame in 2012. Her latest effort, she described as  three nawti singles from her forthcoming  African Invasion album are “Skibo”. “Miliki” and ” Got To Have It,”  are presently enjoying  heavy rotations  on radio and TV stations across  the continent. Burial arrangements will be announced by the family.  May her soul rest in peace.

Adieu Goldie!!!!

Popular Musician & Former BBA Housemate Goldie Harvey Is Dead

 
Popular singer and former Big Brother Africa Housemate Goldie Harvey is dead.

She died last night in the arms of her best friend, Denrele Edun at Reddington Hospital in Victoria Island.

Goldie had just returned from USA where she attended the 55th Annual Grammy Awards.

Speaking to Linda Ikeji, Denrele said: "Goldie just came back from the US today he said, and was so full of life, then something went tragically wrong."

Kennis Music have confirmed the death. They released a statement via her Twitter and Facebook page shortly after news went viral on the internet about her passing away.

"It is with heavy heart that I have to inform you all that Goldie passed this night shortly after arriving Lagos from LA. May her soul rest in the eternal peace of the Lord," the message read.

It is with heavy heart that I have to inform you all that Goldie passed this night shortly after arriving Lagos... http://t.co/IZFM4OsY
— OLUWAG♥LDIE (@GoldieHarvey) February 14, 2013

Behold: Karen Igho's New Hot Photos

From her humble beginnings growing up with her grandmother in Delta State to the lofty heights she attained by winning Big Brother Amplified, Karen has stayed true to herself.

In 2013, Karen is building her brand even further. By day, she’s a radio presenter/on-air personality on Naija FM 102.7 and the rest of the time, she is working on new projects including her acting career.

Check out these brand new promo shots of Karen courtesy of Bella Naija.