As I drove to pick Adaeze for the interview I was curious, I hadn’t seen her in many years, so I didn’t know who to expect. She sprinted down the stairs and apologized for the delay as she was busy getting the house and kids settled before venturing out to spend the day with me. In the car, we caught up on her life since the last time we saw each other. Her smile remained constant as we discussed her life after the crown. Adaeze’s warm and bright spirit glowed all through our session together. Here’s what she had to say.
So much has happened to you since you won the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) title, how has life been since winning that title?
A lot has changed, two kids, married, new life, different cities and a lot of growth spiritually, physically, mentally.
Before you were a Beauty Queen, you modeled, any plans to go back to modelling?
No I have no plans on going back to modeling, and I enjoyed it, I felt like I lived up the dream for that moment and now I’m living the other part of my dream.
How have you managed to maintain your figure after having 2 babies?
Which figure? [laughs] I’m still struggling to maintain my figure, because it’s difficult. With the first baby, I was much more determined to get back in shape, but now I’m taking my time. Right now, I’m just trying to enjoy motherhood first before trying to impress anyone.
Your Instagram has become a hub for news relating to you, what do you think of your Insta-celebrity status?
I try to be balanced, I try to be flawless and at the same time, try to show the struggling part of my life, even though it might not look like that. I don’t want to deceive anyone into thinking I have just one side. I have my spiritual part and I also have the fun part of me which I want people to see, I’m still young and I want to enjoy the rest of my life, I don’t want to look back and realize I that I was too serious with life.
What would you NOT share on social media?
I never share my sex life. I think I’m very open with social media and it’s kinda like a very big part of my life. I enjoy it, can’t even deny it, I’ve realized that I’m actually obsessed with social media. I love social media, I’d share everything but my sex life.
On Hair/Beauty
What inspired you to go natural?
This is my third attempt to go natural. The first attempt, I was like hell no, I can’t even try that. It was too difficult to maintain, I didn’t understand my hair, I didn’t understand what products to use and there weren’t a lot of products the first time I tried it. The second time I tried it, I was forced to relax my hair because I had to have a weave on and I couldn’t tuck in my hair to look natural. A lot of hair stylists in Nigeria really don’t know how to treat natural hair, so they make it frustrating for people with natural hair, so I gave up on it. And then this last time, I saw a lot of people with natural hair, and I felt they were mixed or there’s something different about their texture and then I realized there was nothing different. They just put in work and treated it themselves. They didn’t wait for any hair stylist to do it for them, so I started doing it myself; washing, styling and watching a lot of videos on the Internet before I was able to manage it well.
What are some of your favorite products for taking care of your hair?
Shea moisture, kantic; it’s a leave-in conditioner. I use it to wash my hair, use it to condition my hair, I leave it in my hair as leave-in conditioner. It’s one of the best products for natural hair and it made it easier for me to maintain my natural hair, comb it, and style it the way I want.
What are some of your favourite beauty products?
Estee Lauder.
What is currently in your makeup bag?
My lip balm.
What is one beauty advice you wholeheartedly believe in?
Do a lot of DIY’s. Do a lot of things like honey, Oatmeal; they really work. Natural products work better than products we buy outside.
What is your skincare regimen?
I like to exfoliate, I do a lot of laser, although it burnt my skin, but you have to be careful not to get burnt. Lol. I figured out that most of the time that I break out is because of the ingrown hair on my face, so I tend to get regular laser treatments.
What is your Favourite Beauty spot in or outside of Nigeria?
Turkey; where I get my laser done.
What life message do you have for the thousands of young girls that look up to you?
Be yourself, don’t feel pressured into being some sort of way. I did that before, it didn’t work, I still wanted to come back and be myself, but thank God it’s not too late. I’m still young and I can still be myself as much as I want; as loud as I want, as quiet as I want, I don’t need anybody telling me how to behave.
** CREDIT **
INTERVIEW: The Style Concierge (@thestyle_concierge)
PHOTOGRAPHY: @PrinceMeyson
MAKEUP: @Beautybybellamere_
HAIR: @cc_nene
Am literally having e-bumps as am typing this. I literally stalk her on social media, the way she balances fame and family, plus she’s not afraid to hide her spirituality. Thumbs up woman!