By Comfort Asemota
Sabrina Bella Idukpaye is a multi-talented entertainer—an international model, actor, spoken-word poet, and entrepreneur. She was a housemate on the recently concluded BBNaija Season 10 (2025) but voluntarily exited the show to address a persistent health issue.
Born in Edo State, Idukpaye is also highly educated, holding a Master’s Degree from the London School of Economics (LSE), where she graduated with distinction. In an interview with Sunday Sun, she revealed her regrets about not attending Harvard but expressed pride in expanding her ventures to include a fashion line and a consultancy business.
Early Career and Passion for the Arts
When asked about her journey into acting, storytelling, and public speaking, Idukpaye explained that her creative inclinations began in childhood. “Growing up in Italy, I loved to dance, perform, and express myself creatively,” she said. After moving to Canada at age eight, her passion expanded into visual arts and later into dramatic and performing arts.
Her active involvement in school leadership—serving as president of both her elementary and secondary schools—helped cultivate her confidence and love for public speaking. At the same time, she pursued modeling and studied drama, winning the drama award every year throughout secondary school.
Therefore, looking back, my journey into the entertainment industry grew naturally from my education, creativity, and lifelong passion for self-expression, all of which have always been beautifully intertwined.
How did you rise to stardom?
Rising to stardom has been a journey of timing, talent, and opportunity. In Canada, modelling put me on the map, winning the Next Top Aspiring Model search in Toronto (2011), being named Best Female Model at the AE Awards (2012 & 2013), and becoming the face of multiple brands. When I came to Nigeria in the fall of 2017 for my NYSC, things escalated quickly. Within two weeks, someone who followed me on Snapchat connected me to Spice TV, where I became a presenter and anchor. Soon after, I landed lead roles in national commercials, including the star-studded Meet the In-Laws for Airtel, lead in Dangote seasoning cubes, and starred alongside Jim Iyke in P-Square’s Rudeboy “Somebody’s Baby” music video. In 2019, I returned abroad to further my education, before deciding to come back to Nigeria last year to take up space in the entertainment industry. This led to Big Brother Naija Season 10 (2025), which became a major turning point. Though my time in the house was brief, it sparked nationwide conversation and amplified the “Sabrina” brand across the continent and beyond. The love and recognition that followed has been incredible.
