The Real Housewives of Lagos. Unfiltered & Unforgettable
The first season of The Real Housewives of Lagos captivated audiences with its blend of glamour, drama, and entertainment, breaking streaming records in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa.
The series follows the experiences of a group of wealthy and influential women in Lagos, offering a glimpse into their opulent lifestyles while they navigate the complexities of high society. In its second season, the show will take a more in-depth look at the housewives’ lives, uncovering their aspirations and individual victories. The upcoming episodes will not only address real-life challenges encountered by women, specifically African women, such as juggling family and professional life, navigating relationships, and facing societal expectations, but will also tackle health-related topics. Regardless, the released promotional videos reveal that the show will continue to feature all the DRAMA that kept our eyes glued to our screens.
Returning to the spotlight are Iyabo Ojo, Toyin Lawani (aka Tiannah), Mariam Timmer, Laura Ikeji-Kanu, and Chioma Ikokwu in their roles as Housewives. Joining this dynamic ensemble are two fresh faces: Tania Omotayo, a fashion entrepreneur, socialite, and former model, and Faith Morey, a former basketball player turned supermodel, designer, and actress.
New episodes of the long-awaited season will be available for streaming on Showmax starting September 29th, with a weekly release on Fridays. Now, let’s meet the fascinating cast of #RHOLagos!
Iyabo Ojo
Iyabo Ojo
What’s your favourite thing about being on The Real Housewives of Lagos?
My favourite thing about being on The Real Housewives of Lagos is the opportunity it offers my fans to get to know the real me.
The Real Housewives franchise’s success depends on each cast member’s contribution. What unique qualities and strengths do you bring to the show?
My ability to go from 0 to 1 trillion real quick!
You’re no stranger to the spotlight. You joined the show to share more about your life. However, do you have any boundaries when it comes to sharing your personal life and relationships on the show?
I have accepted it; it’s my trademark now. And quite frankly, that is my personality offscreen.
How do you think your personality and lifestyle align with The Real Housewives of Lagos brand?
Drama is an inborn thing; maturity is growth, and I have been able to project both well.
Have you been involved in any business ventures or entrepreneurial pursuits outside of the show? If so, can you tell us more about them?
Yes, I have. I have a podcast called “Gold Room,” which is on my YouTube channel, “IyaboOjoTV“. On the podcast, I interview celebrities and important personalities who share their ‘journey to success’ stories.
Toyin Lawani (Tiannah)
Toyin Lawani
What’s your favourite thing about being on The Real Housewives of Lagos?
Selling my business! I am a walking billboard, you know, and I wouldn’t want to deprive the world of a good look and taste of what fashion really represents with the KING OF FASHION. I’m here to sell my more than 30 businesses to the world. Even Dangote still dey find money and Coca-Cola still dey do advert.
How do you maintain authenticity and stay true to yourself while participating in a reality TV show?
A goldfish has no hiding place. I am not one to lie to myself or the people around me. If you stay a minute with me and you don’t fall in love with my personality, there’s something wrong somewhere. I am the easiest person on earth, but if you bring it, I bring more! I also bring authenticity to fashion. My creative fashion style is uncommon in Nigeria, but it’s always noticeable when I step into a room. I am a trendsetter and fashion-forward; anything I create is always a masterpiece. I stay true to my style and my beliefs; I don’t let anyone distract me, and I don’t copy. I set the bar, and I am a game changer. So many struggle to be seen, but I stay true to myself, and this has helped me stand out.
Your season 1 wardrobe left a lasting impression on the audience. We’re curious: Do you think your outfits this season will be up to par or even better than the back-to-back creations you sported during the last season? How much thought goes into planning your looks?
My transformer dresses wowed a lot of viewers at the beach. They don’t call me the fashion goddess or the king of fashion for fun. If it’s not Tiannah, it can never be Tiannah. This season, I’m giving you a peep into my ARTISTIC WORLD. It’s all about the art! I will leave your mouths gasping for air with all my confessional pieces. The skull outfit I wore in the promo video already has tongues wagging.
The Real Housewives shows often feature glamorous trips and parties. Last season, you hosted the girls at the launch of your daughter’s collection and your cultural party, and you even flew them to Dubai for your fortieth. Can you share any memorable events or occasions that viewers can look forward to this season?
Even the other housewives can attest to my hosting abilities. I am the life of the party, and anything I set my eyes and hands on becomes as lit as ever. I had the best hosting gig last season, the cultural night, and the trip to Dubai for my birthday, but this season, I wanted to show my fashion lovers a bit of my fashion world, so viewers should look forward to that episode.
Have you been involved in any business ventures or entrepreneurial pursuits outside of the show? If so, can you tell us more about them?
Do you think they call me Madam 33 Business for nothing? Typing “Tiannah” into the search bar on any social media platform pulls up all my businesses and their various social media handles. Tiannah’s Place Empire has 33 businesses under its wings, including Tiannah’s Glow Products, Elegante by Tiannah Styling, Elegante Kid, and Amaladotcom. Then there is Tiannah’s Productions, Tiannah’s Styling Fashion Academy, Tiannah’s Home and Furnishing Ltd., and much more, and I’m here to sell it all.
Mariam Timmer
Mariam Timmer
What’s your favourite thing about being on The Real Housewives of Lagos?
I love numerous aspects of being on The Real Housewives of Lagos, but if I had to choose one, it would be witnessing the different dynamics among the ladies and observing how everything plays out.
Regardless of anything, the show is fun for me. I do not allow it to affect my regular day-to-day life, so I take it as it comes.
Can you share any funny or light-hearted moments that have happened during filming?
For me, one of the season’s funniest moments occurred while I was spending time with my daughter. She always puts a smile on my face. She’s my joy.
As for the light-hearted moments, episode 4 stands out in particular. I can’t give all the details, so you’ll just have to watch the show. However, I can assure you that I found the entire episode entertaining.
You were friends with Toyin for years before the show. Do you think your relationship has been affected in any way since you both joined The Real Housewives of Lagos?
Friendship will forever be tested in this type of situation, but how you respond to the pressure matters. You will get to see more on the show.
Have you been involved in any business ventures or entrepreneurial pursuits outside of the show? If so, can you tell us more about them?
I have engaged in other ventures and, above all, pursued a new career beyond #RHOLagos. Before the show, I was and still am a PR executive at SixSixteen Agency and the creator of Lure Beauty and Lure Fashion.
I’m now pursuing a career in health care, which I have been passionate about since childhood. Recently, I completed a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) course in Georgia, USA. Next year, I will start my journey towards becoming a registered nurse (RN).
I am extremely happy about the journey I am currently embarking on. Even though it’s hard—lots of reading, patience, and attention to detail—there’s nothing I can’t do; therefore, I am ready.
I have always been that person who loves to set goals for herself, and I have always enjoyed seeing myself accomplish those goals. Like I always say, “Great things must be done with a great mind, great courage, and great persistence and patience.”
Why the medical field?
When I was younger, I was entertained by the idea of entering the healthcare field, but at the time, my fear of everything it stood for stopped me from pursuing it further.
Let’s say I overcame my fear; nothing can stop me now. I am excited about this new chapter of my life and look forward to learning and practising more.
Laura Ikeji-Kanu
Laura Ikeji-Kanu
What’s your favourite thing about being on The Real Housewives of Lagos?
Being on the show allows me to study people in different fields up close. I have a background in psychology and find studying people fascinating. It’s interesting to see how there are a lot of mad people in beautiful clothing.
Have you faced any challenges or difficulties because of being on the show? How have you overcome them?
The main challenge I faced after the show’s first season was dealing with the change in how people perceived me. I went from being known as the happy girl to someone who supposedly had bad energy. I hated that narrative because it was untrue. My soul is pure and radiates positivity.
It could be argued that you were somewhat of a social outsider and instigator of issues in the previous season. Do you feel that your relationship with the cast has improved this season?
Social outsider and instigator of issues? When did being real become “instigating issues”? I don’t recall instigating any issues. I was just too real.
Congratulations on your pregnancy, Laura! Can we expect to witness any of this joyous journey on the show?
Thanks so much! I’m so excited about having my third child. About seeing the journey on the show, well, you’ll have to watch to find out.
Have you been involved in any business ventures or entrepreneurial pursuits outside of the show? If so, can you tell us more about them?
I just opened a beauty store on Admiralty Way in Lekki, Phase I. Laura Beauty is the place to be if you love everything beauty. We sell our name-brand products alongside other makeup brands.
Chioma Ikokwu
Chioma Ikokwu
What’s your favourite thing about being on The Real Housewives of Lagos?
My favourite thing about being on The Real Housewives of Lagos is the fact that I get the opportunity to showcase, in an authentic format, the strength, versatility, and tenacity of Nigerian women on a globally acclaimed platform.
I believe that it is important for the world to witness our culture, diversity, character, talent, resourcefulness, family values, and fashion sense.
I am also grateful that I can showcase other parts of my personality in addition to my social media platform and promote my entrepreneurial prowess to the extent the show permits.
How do you handle the demands of filming and being a part of the show while also managing your personal responsibilities and commitments?
It is quite difficult juggling it all, as I have a lot going on in my personal life and professionally. I am involved in multiple businesses, both in Nigeria and internationally. I work as a lawyer and serve as the CEO of GoodHairLtd and Brass & Copper Restaurant. I have an upcoming fashion venture in the works. I also actively run The Good Way Foundation and dedicate time to maintaining a fun and impactful social media presence! All this, combined with our hectic filming schedule, is near impossible.
I am also extremely family-oriented and have a network of great friends, and that comes with its demands, not to mention my love life! Some days, I pray for a clone because it gets pretty overwhelming.
That being said, I must give credit to my amazing team that has stuck with me through the years, with whom I have learned to delegate and transfer some heavy lifting, as I’m quite the perfectionist. This has definitely made my life a tad easier and helped ease my commitment burden on the work front.
I am also very intentional about creating a healthy work-life balance, as what profits a man if he gains the world but loses the very essence of his being? And most importantly, my family has been amazing throughout this journey. Simply being able to offload to them at the end of a long day is all the psychological therapy I need. They say when your mind is right, your body follows suit.
Is it safe to say that your punctuality has improved, both on the show and in real life? You promised to work on this after you won the Best Latecomer Award during the reunion show, especially as your habit of arriving late often sparked arguments throughout the first season.
In all honesty, I don’t think I realised the impact my “late coming” had on other people, especially when it impacted their activities. Watching back made me realise how inconsiderate it appeared, and I can confidently and categorically tell you now that I am a changed person both on and off the show.
As a matter of fact, this season, I was never the last to arrive. On some occasions, I’d even arrive first and have to wait for others, which gave me further clarity on how frustrating it is to have to wait for people.
I’ve also mathematically calculated how long it takes me to get ready and devised faster ways to do this, such as preparing the night before or allocating more time for my glam process. This guarantees that I show up ON POINT and ON TIME!
How do you think your personality and lifestyle align with The Real Housewives of Lagos brand?
Conflicts typically arise from misunderstandings, and there’s nothing communication cannot resolve if all facts are presented accurately. I was raised well and taught to maintain class and decorum regardless of the situation. In addition to not being quick-tempered or unnecessarily reactive by nature, this allows me to handle situations more practically than emotionally.
As CEO of multiple businesses, I come across disputes on an almost daily basis. It is also not uncommon in families, friendships, and relationships because it’s a natural occurrence. Thus, my default method of handling conflict is to listen first and then accurately highlight the facts while looking at things from both points of view before coming to a viable conclusion.
Have you been involved in any business ventures or entrepreneurial pursuits outside of the show? If so, can you tell us more about them?
Absolutely! I’ve found a way to effectively fund my foundation and promote sustainability with my fashion through the birth of Chioma’s Closet, a fashion venture I’ve been working on where I sell my pre-loved luxury and non-luxury items to women worldwide. All proceeds will be used to carry out further projects to support the less privileged in our society through the Goodway Foundation.
My style is a huge part of my identity, and I am happy that I finally get to share this with the world. I’ve also collaborated with a few Nigerian designers on beautiful collections in a bid to further put Africa on the map, and I hope to do the same with other talented designers all over Africa who deserve a global audience.
In addition, we will launch a diffusion hairline for the younger demographic who have loved and supported Good Hair over the years but have not been able to afford it. I look forward to launching both brands as my team and I have worked tirelessly to curate the best quality products and customer experience with the utmost passion and a sprinkle of love.
Faith Morey
Faith Morey
What’s your favourite thing about being on The Real Housewives of Lagos?
It’s a bit difficult to pick one, so here are a few that stand out. Firstly, I enjoyed sharing my story about my struggles and my beautiful life as a mother. Staying stylish throughout the season also brought me immense pleasure. Finally, the production team was super amazing!
Before the show, you were a private person. How comfortable was it for you to share your personal life, including relationships, family dynamics, and financial situations, on a reality TV show?
From my first diary session, you could tell I was still getting used to having so many cameras and people around. It made me not only nervous but also tense and edgy. However, I saw this platform as an opportunity to share a glimpse of my life, showing others the real struggles we all face daily. You get to see the smiles, the challenges of being a single and working-class mom, family dynamics, friendships, and happy and trying moments. Nevertheless, everyone will agree that some aspects of our lives should remain private.
How would you describe your relationship with the other cast members? Are there any strong bonds or conflicts?
My relationship with some of the Housewives was very professional. We all know that when strong and successful women are put together, there will be fracas and goadings, often leading to uncomfortable and sometimes heated conversations, moments, and encounters. The show challenged me to be 100 percent myself and stand up for myself while keeping my principles. I know we are in a generation where folks make friends according to aesthetics and social followings. Still, I’m grateful to have met and shared special moments with Laura and Tiannah, both amazing and hardworking women.
What message or impression do you hope to leave with viewers of The Real Housewives of Lagos?
Embarking on this journey, there was one message I knew was very important to share with our viewers: that you can achieve anything you set your mind to, and I am a perfect example of that.
Faith Morey, the young Ikwerre girl from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, dared to dream and hope for a better life. A life she only saw while watching old American movies through her neighbour’s windows. Today, she is fulfilling those dreams.
Have you been involved in any business ventures or entrepreneurial pursuits outside of the show? If so, can you tell us more about them?
I am working with a few government bodies to eradicate one of our biggest issues in Nigeria: the power shortage. We are currently installing our second batch of solar panels in the country and are in talks to fully integrate SunPower into Nigeria’s energy infrastructure. The support we have received thus far has been remarkable, as it has allowed us to educate people about the benefits of renewable energy and its potential to improve our quality of life. As someone who experienced firsthand what it was like to have only four hours or less of electricity per month while growing up, working on this project brings me enormous joy.
Tania Omotayo
Tania Omotayo
What’s your favourite thing about being on The Real Housewives of Lagos?
Being around well-achieved, strong women who are pioneers in their own lanes was one of my favourite things about being on the show.
The Real Housewives franchise’s success depends on each cast member’s contribution. What unique qualities and strengths do you bring to the show?
I brought a multifaceted woman—a mother, a wife, an author, and an entrepreneur—to the show. Regardless of how it may come across, I stayed true to myself and never faked anything.
You’re no stranger to the spotlight. You joined the show to share more about your life. However, do you have any boundaries when it comes to sharing your personal life and relationships on the show?
Naturally, everyone has their boundaries when it comes to their personal lives. But this is the most open I’ve ever been publicly.
How do you think your personality and lifestyle align with The Real Housewives of Lagos brand?
I embody every positive aspect of The Real Housewives franchise. I am a strong, powerful woman.
Have you been involved in any business ventures or entrepreneurial pursuits outside of the show? If so, can you tell us more about them?
I own a women’s ready-to-wear brand called Ziva Lagos and Ziva Kids, a kids’ concept store. We have stores in Lagos and Abuja and are currently building a third.
Aside from being a serial entrepreneur, I wrote a children’s book called Sarai’s Culture Day and ventured into acting.
As a strong supporter of women, I founded an NGO called The Growth Forum Africa. It is a social impact organisation that seeks to provide an environment that enables women to thrive in their chosen fields of endeavour by providing them with the necessary tools and skills to harness their passions and possibly turn these passions into a means of livelihood.
