Beverly inspired me to read the Bible – Angelo

AUGUST 30, 2013 

| credits: Chukky Nwakky

South Africa’s representative at the 2013 Big Brother Africa reality TV show, Angelo Collins, still wonders why Nigerians have been attacking his lover and fellow Housemate, Beverly Osu, for her behaviour while the three month-long event lasted.

Describing Beverly as “one in a million” women, he said on Twitter that the country’s controversial female rep had actually inspired him to read the Bible during the show.

Angelo notes that though South Africans have been showering Beverly with love and affection, her fellow countrymen and women are still bent on castigating her. He urged Nigerians to take her back as one of their own, in spite of their bitterness over the role she played in the MNET-sponsored show.

Beverly had wormed her way into the bad books of some Nigerians for allegedly having sex with Angelo in a bathtub.  A three-minute video clip showing her lying naked on Angelo in the bathtub had gone viral on the Internet and, in the process, sparked outrage among those who viewed the development as un-African and shameful.

Apart from the video clip, a photograph showing both lovebirds in a compromised position under –the bed sheets– circulated widely on social media.

Also, an invitation from US-based soft porn producer, Afrocandy, to star in her upcoming movie seemed to have deepened the general sentiment against Beverly.

While making the offer to the BBA star, Afrocandy had described her as a courageous young woman endowed with lots of guts and the ability to “go naked”, which were the qualities required for her kind of movie productions.

But Angelo, who hinted on Twitter that his mother was ill, took a break from his schedule to counter unfavourable tweets from fans whom he accused of painting Beverly black.

He tweeted, “It’s hard to find genuine people. Beverly is one in a million. She taught me many things and inspired me to read the Bible. She really believed in me. Beverly is not perfect, just like some of us. We are all imperfect in our own ways. Please, my naija people, Beverly is a really great person with a good heart. Please, show her some respect! South Africans love her; Nigerians should do the same thing.’’

But Angelo’s claim that his ‘girlfriend’ had a likeable personality ignited mixed reactions from Nigerians who followed the BBA show to the end.

Some people argued that what transpired between the two housemates under the full glare of cameras in the BBA House, as well as the tell-tale pictures circulating on the social media, hardly portrayed the lovers as having regular Bible study sessions. They accused Angelo of using “sweet words” to cover up the “sins” he committed with Beverly in the House.

 Commenting on lindaikeji.blogspot.com, an anonymous reader said, “Nigerians are not as openly promiscuous…  We are very sensitive, especially when it comes to morality. Beverly should’ve known that and ought to be ready for the outcome.”

Another respondent countered Angelo’s claims on Twitter, saying that his tweets were aimed at saving the face of Beverly. The reader noted, “Bible reading sessions, indeed. Come to think of it, isn’t it written in the Bible that you shouldn’t do what you did in the BBA house, much less doing it for the whole world to see? Guess you missed that part in the Bible. Abeg, you people should get married and atone for your sins a little.”

Some said Angelo was only trying to be sarcastic and he had used the tweets to mock Beverly. According to those who claimed to have followed the show closely, there was no scene where Beverly was sighted or overheard teaching anyone, including Angelo, Bible lessons.

“Is he indirectly mocking her? When did she teach him how to read the Bible? Besides, what would he have said in defence of someone that he shared some intimacy with?  Anyway, I don’t have issues with Beverly,” a reader on kemifilani.com said.

Angelo was asked to speed up his marriage plans for Beverly, if he was truly interested in walking with her down the aisle.

Meanwhile, Beverly returned to Twitter on Thursday, after a three-month break, and tweeted:   “Back and Better. Thank you for the love, support and criticism. One blood, one love, one Africa. I love you guys.’’

As soon as the tweet was launched on the social network, some of her South African fans reached out to her and called her “Mrs. Collins.’’

A Twitter user from South Africa said, “Oh my God! My in-law Beverly Osu is tweeting! SA, stand up! #TeamBengelo. We love you! Your new name is Simamkele it means “We Welcome Her.”

A Nigerian Twitter user, Bode Bruno, also said, “Welcome back! Remember, it’s your life and you rule. Forget the haters. Being the best is all you should do!’’