You can get to the top ... without sleeping your way there
Jul 29, 2011
From the moment the news broke out that Sharon Nalukenge would be one of Uganda’s two representatives in the Big Brother Amplified house this year, the verdict was unanimous; she had the goods for the camera.
By Carol Kezaabu
From the moment the news broke out that Sharon Nalukenge would be one of Uganda’s two representatives in the Big Brother Amplified house this year, the verdict was unanimous; she had the goods for the camera.
Given her career with the Obsessions, she was a known face about town, but we still did not know much about her, especially what persona she would bring to the house.
On May 1, the rest of Africa got to meet Sharon O, and while they gasped at her bombshell looks, once she opened her mouth, it turned out that she was the stereotypical ditzy hot chic. Were good looks going to be enough to win Africa over? We thought not and so we put all our hopes in Ernest Wasake, the other representative. But in week three he was sent packing and our hopes were dashed, or so we thought.
Fast forward to today, Sharon O is one of seven finalists in the sixth season of Big Brother Africa, which ends tomorrow. Now, we didn’t see that coming. At least I didn’t. Once you get over that shock, you will appreciate the fact that Sharon O did play a great game.
In the beginning, she was the looker, a pretty picture moving about the house not uttering much and although there were 25 other housemates, her looks were enough to get her by in the first weeks. She didn’t say much, and we were grateful for that, because you couldn’t be sure what was going to come out of her mouth when she did.
It came as a bit of a surprise that she could hardly string a sentence together and the fake American accent was riddled with holes. But that did not keep the boys away. While the other girls were all clamouring for the boys’ attention, all the boys agreed that Sharon O was super hot. First, it was Miguel/Michael, the flirt-god, who dared make advances. Sharon played coy and kept her distance without offending him. By the time he left the house, four weeks later, he was still enamoured by her. When the housemates were separated into two houses, Sharon O started to come out of her shell. She couldn’t keep quiet about her many artistic talents, her career in the awesome all-girls singing group Obsessions, “the best boyfriend in the world†Ronnie Mulindwa and her son.
Lomwe started to show interest after he had been rebuffed by Hanni, but Sharon O wasn’t playing second fiddle to anyone. Still, she flirted with Lomwe, she laughed when Big Brother asked her if she had any feelings towards the Malawian, but she didn’t budge. She had made no secret of the fact that she was in a committed relationship and wasn’t going to be playing around with any boys. Instead, she turned to her girls Millicent and Felicia and they forged the MFS crew, which spent days and nights huddled in hot gossip.
And as weeks turned into months, we kept waiting for her star to diminish, but Africa would have none of it. Sharon O survived five evictions, and it all comes down to tomorrow night, the final night of Big Brother Africa six, when for the first time, two winners will walk away with $200,000 (about sh500m) each.
Could Sharon O be one of those winners? I’m hesitant to bet against her because one thing that has been clear this season is that Africa has come to her rescue every time the odds were against her.
Sharon O will be laughing all the way to the bank. The fact that she is a finalist automatically earns her $10,000 (about sh20m). She certainly deserves it and if she goes ahead to win the grand prize, there will be many people put to shame. She leaves with her reputation intact, proving that you don’t need to kiss and sleep with countless people to survive the game. In fact, what has become apparent this season is that getting into romantic liaisons has led to the downfall of many.
In the final weeks of the game, I couldn’t help but cheer our girl on. Like she always said to Big Brother: “She has been real.†Ultimately, if for no other reason, Sharon O will go down in Big Brother history as the girl who got high on her own supply with her song Jangu.
‘My baby has played a good game’
CAROL KEZAABU caught up with Ronnie Mulindwa about his girlfriend’s stay in the Big Brother house
Why do you think Sharon has been able to stay this long in the game?
She has played a good game. I’m not happy with the way Ugandans have reacted to her. Everyone was coming down hard on her for being quiet in the beginning. But for anyone meeting new people it is important to sit back and know where you would fit in. People wanted her to be loud, but you can’t be like everyone else, you have to bring something unique to the table. I think that’s what has brought her this far, she did not try to be anything she wasn’t.
She has played a clean game. Did you discuss any strategy with her?
I just told her to have fun and be herself. And I think in choosing to be friends with Millicent (Kenya) and Felicia (Malawi), she made a wise move because these are the countries that have come to her rescue every time she has been up for eviction. We never discussed this, but she decided to make those choices and it has paid off.
She had many admirers in the house; did you worry that you would lose her?
I’ve been with Sharon for nine years and we have been through everything from other men, women, money, temptations and I was not going to spend sleepless nights worrying. She is mature enough to know the consequences of her actions. She knows right from wrong.
How do you feel about her talking about you so much in the house?
A. (Laughing) It has brought me a lot of trouble, especially on facebook with people teasing me. Besides, why wouldn’t she talk about me when I talk about her all the time as well.
Are you going for the finale?
No, her mum is going to get her. I’ll stay here voting. Don’t want to waste any votes while on the plane.
Was your son allowed to watch her?
Oh yes, he was always watching.
From the moment the news broke out that Sharon Nalukenge would be one of Uganda’s two representatives in the Big Brother Amplified house this year, the verdict was unanimous; she had the goods for the camera.
Given her career with the Obsessions, she was a known face about town, but we still did not know much about her, especially what persona she would bring to the house.
On May 1, the rest of Africa got to meet Sharon O, and while they gasped at her bombshell looks, once she opened her mouth, it turned out that she was the stereotypical ditzy hot chic. Were good looks going to be enough to win Africa over? We thought not and so we put all our hopes in Ernest Wasake, the other representative. But in week three he was sent packing and our hopes were dashed, or so we thought.
Fast forward to today, Sharon O is one of seven finalists in the sixth season of Big Brother Africa, which ends tomorrow. Now, we didn’t see that coming. At least I didn’t. Once you get over that shock, you will appreciate the fact that Sharon O did play a great game.
In the beginning, she was the looker, a pretty picture moving about the house not uttering much and although there were 25 other housemates, her looks were enough to get her by in the first weeks. She didn’t say much, and we were grateful for that, because you couldn’t be sure what was going to come out of her mouth when she did.
It came as a bit of a surprise that she could hardly string a sentence together and the fake American accent was riddled with holes. But that did not keep the boys away. While the other girls were all clamouring for the boys’ attention, all the boys agreed that Sharon O was super hot. First, it was Miguel/Michael, the flirt-god, who dared make advances. Sharon played coy and kept her distance without offending him. By the time he left the house, four weeks later, he was still enamoured by her. When the housemates were separated into two houses, Sharon O started to come out of her shell. She couldn’t keep quiet about her many artistic talents, her career in the awesome all-girls singing group Obsessions, “the best boyfriend in the world†Ronnie Mulindwa and her son.
Lomwe started to show interest after he had been rebuffed by Hanni, but Sharon O wasn’t playing second fiddle to anyone. Still, she flirted with Lomwe, she laughed when Big Brother asked her if she had any feelings towards the Malawian, but she didn’t budge. She had made no secret of the fact that she was in a committed relationship and wasn’t going to be playing around with any boys. Instead, she turned to her girls Millicent and Felicia and they forged the MFS crew, which spent days and nights huddled in hot gossip.
And as weeks turned into months, we kept waiting for her star to diminish, but Africa would have none of it. Sharon O survived five evictions, and it all comes down to tomorrow night, the final night of Big Brother Africa six, when for the first time, two winners will walk away with $200,000 (about sh500m) each.
Could Sharon O be one of those winners? I’m hesitant to bet against her because one thing that has been clear this season is that Africa has come to her rescue every time the odds were against her.
Sharon O will be laughing all the way to the bank. The fact that she is a finalist automatically earns her $10,000 (about sh20m). She certainly deserves it and if she goes ahead to win the grand prize, there will be many people put to shame. She leaves with her reputation intact, proving that you don’t need to kiss and sleep with countless people to survive the game. In fact, what has become apparent this season is that getting into romantic liaisons has led to the downfall of many.
In the final weeks of the game, I couldn’t help but cheer our girl on. Like she always said to Big Brother: “She has been real.†Ultimately, if for no other reason, Sharon O will go down in Big Brother history as the girl who got high on her own supply with her song Jangu.
‘My baby has played a good game’
CAROL KEZAABU caught up with Ronnie Mulindwa about his girlfriend’s stay in the Big Brother house
Why do you think Sharon has been able to stay this long in the game?
She has played a good game. I’m not happy with the way Ugandans have reacted to her. Everyone was coming down hard on her for being quiet in the beginning. But for anyone meeting new people it is important to sit back and know where you would fit in. People wanted her to be loud, but you can’t be like everyone else, you have to bring something unique to the table. I think that’s what has brought her this far, she did not try to be anything she wasn’t.
She has played a clean game. Did you discuss any strategy with her?
I just told her to have fun and be herself. And I think in choosing to be friends with Millicent (Kenya) and Felicia (Malawi), she made a wise move because these are the countries that have come to her rescue every time she has been up for eviction. We never discussed this, but she decided to make those choices and it has paid off.
She had many admirers in the house; did you worry that you would lose her?
I’ve been with Sharon for nine years and we have been through everything from other men, women, money, temptations and I was not going to spend sleepless nights worrying. She is mature enough to know the consequences of her actions. She knows right from wrong.
How do you feel about her talking about you so much in the house?
A. (Laughing) It has brought me a lot of trouble, especially on facebook with people teasing me. Besides, why wouldn’t she talk about me when I talk about her all the time as well.
Are you going for the finale?
No, her mum is going to get her. I’ll stay here voting. Don’t want to waste any votes while on the plane.
Was your son allowed to watch her?
Oh yes, he was always watching.