Big Bella, as her fans call her, is the Lagos model and content creator who finished third on Big Brother Naija Season 7 “Level Up” in 2022. Bella Okagbue spent most of that season in a loud, on-and-off romance with Sheggz, and the couple stayed together for more than three years after the show. This Bella Okagbue biography covers her age, royal Onitsha family, BBNaija run, brand deals and the 2026 breakup that ended in lawyers’ letters.
| Date of Birth | May 29, 1997 |
|---|---|
| Age | 29 years |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Zodiac Sign | Gemini |
| Occupation | Model, content creator, reality TV star |
| State of Origin | Anambra State (Onitsha) |
| BBNaija Season | Season 7 Level Up (3rd place) |
| Education | University of Lagos |
| Siblings | Chris Okagbue, Sandra Okagbue |
| Fan Base | Rebellz |
Biography
Bella was born Chidimma Esther Okagbue on May 29, 1997, which makes her 29. Her family is from Onitsha in Anambra State, and she is Igbo. She later went to the University of Lagos, according to Legit.ng.
She comes from royalty. TheWill reported in August 2022 that she is the daughter of the late Obi Ofala Okechukwu Okagbue, who ruled the Onitsha Kingdom for 31 years until his death in 2001, and his wife Ogechukwu Clara Okagbue. She is the youngest child. Her brother Chris Okagbue is a Nollywood actor, and her sister Sandra Okagbue is a model who has children with the singer Flavour.
Her family did not want her to date Sheggz. At the Season 7 reunion she said they had warned her against him and that she went ahead anyway, Gistreel reported.
Career
Bella worked as a model, content creator and influencer before the show. Legit.ng lists past work with brands such as PrettyLittleThing, Sodah London and Ore’s Wurld. Her Instagram bio today reads “Fashion | Lifestyle | Beauty | Travel” and names Guinness Africa as one of her brand deals.
Since 2022 she has signed with a skincare brand, a pastry company and the hair label Royal Hairs, and she has appeared on Guinness Africa’s “Housemates Unfiltered” show on YouTube. Her Instagram is mostly fashion and travel posts, with story highlights from Europe, Canada and Southeast Asia.
She is open about how much she argues online. “I really reply every single day,” she said in a January 2024 YouTube chat with her friend Boluwatife. She added that she had told herself she would stop. Her fans, the Rebellz, gave her a N13 million cash gift on her birthday on May 29, 2023, Legit.ng reported, one of the biggest fan gifts any BBNaija star had received.
Big Brother Naija
Bella entered BBNaija Season 7, “Level Up”, when it opened on July 23, 2022. She told viewers she was quick to anger and had come to get rich and famous. She lost the Week 5 Head of House race to Chomzy and clashed with Chichi over a wager task.
Her relationship with Sheggz drove much of her story. Less than a month in, a video of Sheggz telling her he wanted to marry her went viral, Legit.ng reported. The two also fought often, and their arguments became regular talking points on the live shows. Sheggz was evicted on September 25, 2022, and she stayed on to the final.
On October 2, 2022, Bella finished third with 15.78% of the final vote, behind Phyna (40.74%) and Bryann (26.74%), Graphic Showbiz reported. During the show she had said she was fine choosing Sheggz over the N100 million prize. Asked about that line later by Elozonam, she said she still felt she should have won the N100 million. Read how Phyna won Season 7, and see every winner on our page of all BBNaija seasons.
Sheggz
Bella and Sheggz, known to fans as “Shella”, stayed together after the show. At the reunion, hosted by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Bella said the relationship was still intact. In July 2023 they marked one year together, BellaNaija reported. Bella wrote that she couldn’t wait “to see what future holds for us”, BrandSpur reported, and the couple went to the Lagos premiere of “Barbie” that month, with Bella in a Barbie-inspired two-piece, Legit.ng reported.
They broke up in January 2026. Sheggz made it public on August 19, 2026. “I did not cheat on Bella, and I have been single since January 2026,” he said, Legit.ng reported. He said he had bought a ring because he “genuinely wanted the relationship to work”.
Bella answered on her Instagram story on August 21, 2026. “A ring doesn’t fix what made a relationship impossible,” she wrote, Gistreel reported. She added, “A hundred promises. Not one fulfilled,” and said that “wanting marriage with someone you love is not desperation”.
Legal Dispute With Sheggz
The split turned into a legal fight. Sheggz’s lawyers sent Bella a cease-and-desist letter dated August 21, 2026, accusing her of defamation and demanding a retraction and an apology, WithinNigeria reported. Her lawyers replied on August 24, called his claims “spurious and baseless”, and said he owed her money and had broken a promise to marry her.
A second letter for Bella was shared online on September 7, 2026. It made serious abuse allegations against Sheggz and claimed damages, Legit.ng reported. These are claims in lawyers’ letters. No court case or ruling has been made public, and the claims have not been tested.
Other Controversies
In 2023 Bella faced pregnancy rumours. On Instagram Live she said she was not pregnant, adding that at 25 she did not need anyone’s permission if she ever chose to be, Legit.ng reported. Her post backing sexual purity before marriage later sparked a long online debate.
Personal Life
Bella is single. She lives in Lagos, travels often, and her Instagram flags show both Nigeria and the UK.
Timeline
1997: Born Chidimma Esther Okagbue on May 29.
2001: Her father, Obi Ofala Okechukwu Okagbue of Onitsha, dies after 31 years on the throne.
Before 2022: Studies at the University of Lagos and works as a model and influencer.
July 23, 2022: Enters BBNaija Season 7 “Level Up”.
August 2022: Sheggz tells her he wants to marry her on the show.
September 25, 2022: Sheggz is evicted.
October 2, 2022: Finishes third with 15.78% of the final vote.
Late 2022: Says at the reunion that her relationship with Sheggz is intact.
May 29, 2023: Fans give her N13 million for her birthday.
July 2023: Marks one year with Sheggz and attends the “Barbie” premiere in Lagos.
2024 to 2025: Travels widely and posts fashion and travel content.
January 2026: She and Sheggz break up.
August 19, 2026: Sheggz says he did not cheat and has been single since January.
August 21, 2026: Bella posts her response; Sheggz’s lawyers send a cease-and-desist letter.
August 24, 2026: Her lawyers reply.
September 7, 2026: A second letter from her side makes abuse claims and seeks damages.
Net Worth
Bella earns from sponsored posts, ambassador deals such as Guinness Africa, appearances and modelling, helped by about 900,000 Instagram followers and 285,000 on X. Her fees and deal values have not been published, so we have not given a figure. She did not win prize money on BBNaija.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bella Okagbue’s real name?
Her full name is Chidimma Esther Okagbue.
How old is Bella from BBNaija?
Bella is 29. She was born on May 29, 1997.
Where is Bella Okagbue from?
She is from Onitsha in Anambra State. She is the youngest child of the late Obi of Onitsha, Ofala Okechukwu Okagbue.
What position did Bella finish in BBNaija Season 7?
She finished third with 15.78% of the final vote, behind Phyna and Bryann.
Are Bella and Sheggz still together?
No. Sheggz said they split in January 2026, and lawyers for both sides exchanged letters in August and September 2026.
