Mercy Chinenye Eke, popularly referred to as “Lambo” or the “Queen of Highlights”, is a household name in Nigeria and the world at large. Mercy made her mark as the first female winner of Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) and subsequently became a media personality, actress, entrepreneur, and fashion influencer in her own right. From a young woman from Imo State with an unyielding spirit to becoming a national reality TV superstar and last but not least a trailblazer in her own right, her story is one of tenacity, hard work and the influence that comes with it.
Early Life And Background.
Mercy Eke was born in an Igbo family at Owerri in Imo State, Nigeria on September 29, 1990. She had a working-class background in the southern part of the nation during her childhood, which instilled in her a strong work ethic and desire to rise in the world. Mercy graduated from Egbu Girls Secondary School in Owerri. She subsequently attended Imo State University where she graduated in 2014 with a degree.
Prior to Mercy’s rise to fame, she tried many things to achieve her goals. As a video vixen, Mercy featured in music videos of notable Nigerian stars like Davido in “Baby Mama” and Ichaba, as well as Airboy in “Nawo Nawo.” These roles displayed her charm and likability which foreshadowed her stardom. Nonetheless, her tenacity in pursuing auditions for Big Brother Naija—auditioning four times before actually being chosen.
BBNaija Pepper Dem Gang Edition
Mercy Eke’s participation in the Big Brother Naija show started on June 30, 2019, and she was a contestant in the “Pepper Dem” season or the fourth season of the popular Reality TV show. From the time she set foot in the show, it was clear that Mercy was branded the “sassy” character owning to her fierce demeanor, sharp tongue, and unabashed self-confidence. The season was hosted in Lagos, Nigeria for the first time after previously doing editions in South Africa, and was full of drama, plots, and fierce rivalry among the 26 contestants.
During the 99-day period, Mercy single-handedly won the hearts of viewers with her unfiltered self and strategic brain. Her romance with fellow contestant, Ike Onyema added a sprinkle of love and drama that changed the entire narrative of the storyline along with increasing the viewership. Despite numerous hurdles like the internal politics of the house along with the social media hate, Mercy stayed exceedingly loved by the fans. On October 6, 2019, she created history by winning the show with 41% of the votes against Mike Edwards who was the runner-up. She was awarded a vast prize pool worth ₦60 million which included cash, an SUV, and many other prizes, thus etching her name in the BBNaija records as the first female to win the show.
Post-BBNaija Fame And Brand Building.
Mercy’s triumph is just the tip of the iceberg. With a multifaceted career already underway, Mercy won as Best Dressed Female at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) in 2020, casting her as a style icon. Her love for luxury cars, blended with her bold self, earned her the nickname “Lambo,” becoming synonymous with her brand.
MNM Luxury marks Mercy’s foray into entrepreneurship, as she founded a fashion and lifestyle business that displayed her flair. She also became Ciroc, Mr. Taxi, and Innoson Motors’ spokesmodel, amassing expensive endorsement deals. This crowning achievement made her the first BBNaija housemate ambassador for a Nigerian automobile company. Her keen sense of business, coupled with her marketability offered her the position of one of the most sought after influencers in the country.
However, her reality TV fame doesn’t end there. In 2020, she stepped into the world of acting showing her versatility. She also joined the skit-making fraternity alongside veteran comedians which further diverse this new segment of her portfolio. Her fame soared seemingly overnight, amassing millions of followers on Instagram as she showcased her life, fashion, and milestones.