Frenemy[Β fren-uh-mee ]
Noun
Informal.Β a person or group that is friendly toward another because the relationship brings benefits, but harbours feelings of resentment or rivalry.
Not all friendships are borne out of the desire for true companionship, some are out of convenience and a means to an end. Most times this friendship appears like a typical true friendship, but on closer observation, itβs really just a facade masking the feeling of envy. Have friendships like this surfaced in the BB Naija House? It looks like it.
With Housemates of different backgrounds cohabiting together to compete for several prizes and a grand prize of 85 million Naira, itβs almost impossible to expect all the Housemates to observe the tenets of true friendship. Behind the laughs and the smiles, the Housemates stillΒ see each other as threats and this knowledgeΒ affects the dynamics of their friendship giving rise to a lot of frenemies. We spotted a few in the House.Β
The performative frenemy
A true frenemy knows itβs not just about pretending to be friends for benefits, but also making a convincing show of it. Everyone has to believe you are a real friend even though this is just a means to an end for you. Watching Neo shout in pain when Praise got Evicted would have you thinking he was hurt the most about him leaving, but shortly after we saw how the Housemates voted for who they wanted Evicted from the bottom four and guess who called out Praiseβs name without stuttering? Neo!
He wasnβt the only one. If Vee was asked to list out her top three friends in the House, it is very likely Tolanibaj will be on that list. As they vibed together while preparing for the Pepsi Task, youβd never guess one of them votedΒ the other out.
Thereβs absolutely nothing wrong with the Votes they made. It was strategic and beneficial for them to take out the competition. The only part that raises eyebrows is how friendly they are with the Housemates they Voted. It makes you question their honesty about their friendship. Are they really real friends or just conveniently using each other for their personal gains while waiting for the right time to strike.
Lovers turned frenemies
Ever since Wathoni had her advances turned down by Kiddwaya, their friendship has been quite delicate and it didnβt help that she got into an altercation with Erica, who is in an amorous friendship with Kiddwaya. Even though Kiddwaya saved her from being Evicted from the House, the issues they have had makes you question whether they are really friends or just sizing each other up and waiting for that crucial time to show their true intent.Β
Wathoni once again had her eyes set on another man, but this time, Dorathy also does too. Both agreed to not wanting to be in a triangle, but their affection for Brighto has put a strain on their convenient friendship and given room for resentment. It is based on this resentment that Wathoni suspects Dorathy probably wants her out of the House as she shared with her new close friends, Vee and Tolanibaj.
Speaking of Tolanibaj, it wasnβt long ago that she and Wathoni were on each otherβs neck over Prince and now they seem to be girlfriends. Even Vee got into it with her and tried getting her to move her bed elsewhere.Β Makes you wonder how real their newfound friendship is or how close they are bordering on being frenemies.Β
Vee and Erica had a dicey relationship in the House and with Ebuka shaking the tables and exposingΒ Veeβs advice to Laycon concerning staying away from Erica, there's no telling if there's anything left of their friendship or if the fake smiles frenemies constantly have plastered on their faces will be the order of the day. Erica voting Vee to be Evicted may give credence to frenemies rumour, but she claims it was nothing personal.
Friend of everyone and friend of no one
Finally, Brighto, who the streets of social media aptly named him Lord Baelish, a character from Game of Thrones known for being a skilled manipulator and thrived on accruing intelligence on political rivals. Brighto thrives on obtaining information from other Housemates and sharing as he deems fit.Β
This trait makes you wary of hisΒ intentions and what his motive is when it comes to his friendships in the House. Is his quest for friendship really built on honesty or a ploy to obtain information as he uses you to further his agenda?
Even Housemates he was known to be friends with have at one time been thrown under the bus by him. He once called Neo pretentious and denied it when asked by Ebuka. He also trended for makingΒ questionable remarks about Praiseβs fiancΓ©e to Kiddwaya.
Even his interaction with the women he is alleged involved with raises cause for concern, but that's another story. From the looks of things, Kiddwaya might be his one true friend, but as always, his motive will always be made known.
Although it may seem as if friendship in the House is fickle, it doesn't mean there aren't true friendships. We have witnessed old Housemates go from being at loggerheads to being true friends beyond the House and we also envisage the same happening with the Lockdown Geng. For now, we will just have to see the dynamism of friendships through their eyes. Before or after they see a friend, they also see a competition too and the will to survive sometimes creeps in during their interactions and projects them as frenemies. We just have to make peace with the fact that this is a game and should their interactions turn them toΒ friends or frenemies, we must understand that it was borne out of the desire to win.Β
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