Tacha Reveals Harsh Realities of UK Life: “I Paid £5,000 a Month for My Apartment”

Former Big Brother Naija star, Anita Natacha Akide, popularly known as Tacha, has offered a candid glimpse into the challenges of living abroad, recounting her experience of paying a staggering £5,000 (over ₦9million) monthly for an apartment in one of the United Kingdom’s most expensive neighborhoods. Her revelations came during an appearance on the Honest Bunch podcast.

Tacha, reflecting on life after her 2019 disqualification from the BBNaija show, shared how her rise to fame brought drastic changes to public perception and her personal relationships. “I’ve been called different types of names. After my disqualification, people celebrated in strange ways. It really changed the way people treated me,” she noted.

Describing her time in the UK, Tacha painted a vivid picture of isolation, highlighting the often overlooked struggles that come with living overseas. “It was literally just me living in the most expensive neighborhood… we are talking £5,000 a month. Before you sleep and wake up, it’s 30 days already and you’re back calculating how to survive,” she confessed, revealing the relentless pressure to keep up with exorbitant rent.

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Tacha further explained that her expectations of friendships and social support were upended. Many of the friends she hoped to reconnect with were weighed down by multiple jobs, leaving little time for companionship. “Some of my friends were too busy, juggling several work shifts just to make ends meet. The loneliness hit hard because you realize you’re on your own,” she said.

She used her story to shed light on the hidden realities many young Nigerians face when moving abroad in pursuit of success. As she observed, behind the allure of international living are significant challenges—financial strain, social isolation, and the pressure of high expectations.

Since her BBNaija disqualification, Tacha has confronted stigma and adversity but remains determined. “There is a stigma behind getting disqualified, but I am still doing well. I consider that to be a huge elevation. Some people have gone through such moments in their lives and haven’t been able to get back on their feet. For me, it was a different ball game,” she reflected.

In sharing her experience, Tacha encourages others to better understand the reality behind the glamorous facade of diaspora life, underscoring the importance of resilience and self-reliance in the face of adversity.