In this season of high energy and name calling in the Big Brother reunion, We caught up with Nigeria/ American ex housemate of 2018 – Anto Lecky who has managed to stay relevant yet controversy free, from when she left the house .
From one endorsement deal after the next to running a thriving beauty business, Anto has kept her nose clean while she has kept her hands busy with philanthropy excersises and advocacy projects . We caught up with her recently and spoke about her personal life which she has kept away from the prying eyes of the public and how she has managed to stay scandal free especially in a season of “controversy sells” .
– What was it like growing up in New Jersey?
Anto – grew up with my parents and some of my siblings. I was my parents first child born in the US but their third child overall. However, my elder sisters didn’t come to America with my parents. So, I felt like an only child for a while then was a big sister/first child until my immediate elder sister came to America. My parents were still very Nigerian unlike some parents who try very hard to assimilate to America. We ate Nigerian food, watched Nigerian films, bathe with bucket. All of these things made it easier for me to adapt to living in Nigeria when I finally came.
— You’re currently involved in a lot of things. How do you manage to keep up?
Anto – Honestly, it’s by the grace of God! But I’ve always been very organized and great at prioritizing. From middle school, I was involved in various planning committees. While in high school, I balanced school work with sports and other extra curricular activities. In University, I balanced class, work, sorority activities, community service. While studying for my MBA, Organizational Behavior was my best class. It really taught me how to balance both individual and group behavior. Everything does get overwhelming but I was trained to and enjoy figuring it all out. I am currently on set acting, presenting, influencing. I also have 3 companies I co-manage. Just recently formally launched my NGO. Plus other projects I have been working on. It’s definitely a lot but I thrive best when I’m busy.
– Do you feel the Big Brother platform contributed to your success?
Anto – Absolutely, the Big Brother platform like any other platform was a stepping stone toward the life I am trying to achieve. It’s true that if it wasn’t for Big Brother, I might not be having this interview right now. While I always had plans of becoming a public figure and was working on it as Head of Operations for the Continental Basketball League, leaving my office for the BB platform made things happen for me much faster.
– What is your greatest extravagance?
Anto – I am a pretty simple person, but I would say I don’t mind spending any amount of money on food. I also love household smell goods, shoes and traveling. But I wouldn’t consider any of these things “extravagant”. In general, I just like enjoyment and to relax. I actually wish I wasn’t as economical as I am , lol
– Apart from Nigeria and New Jersey, where else would you like to live?
Anto – I’ve always had dreams of living on every continent of the world, maybe except for Antarctica. So maybe Brazil, England or France, and Singapore and Japan. I love to travel and explore cultures. I definitely want to live in South Africa for a bit regardless.
– What do you feel is your most marked characteristic?
Anto – Simplicity. I don’t think I’m too much, but just enough.
– What is your current state of mind?
Anto – A state of thinking, almost a state of anxiety. I’m always thinking, my girls say that’s why I can never gain weight, lol. I always have one project I’m working on or trying to work on. And I want to be good at everything so I do get anxious a lot.
– What trait can you not stand in others?
Anto – I can’t stand lying. I am such a understanding person, even if I don’t agree, I will try to get your reasoning, so there’s really no reason to lie to me. And I tell people this. I get more upset about the lie than the “crime”. I will also add laziness. I can laze around at times too because rest is critical, but people who always expect others to do for them and get mad when they dont, I CANNOT deal
-From where you have started to where you are currently, how has the journey been so far?
Anto – The journey has NOT been easy and it doesn’t seem like it’s going to get easier anytime soon. But it has truly been worthwhile. While some people say they have no regrets, I definitely have some regrets about things and wonder if I did something different how would things have turned out. But I can’t change those things now, and the life I have been able to live is not bad either , lol. I am grateful to be living my dreams and just pray for more success.
– If you were given the chance to change anything, what would it be?
Anto -Ahh right after I talked about some regrets lol. Let’s leave the past alone, but I would truly want to change the governments of many African nations. We have so much potential but the higher ups are frustrating their citizens. If we have governments abiding by their own laws, Africa would be a world leader.