Linda Ikeji, the new celebrity we all love to hate

Nigerian super blogger

Lately the equal love-hate balance has been tilting towards the hate side of things. As her popularity and fortune (mainly fortune though) have increased Linda Ikeji has become a public enemy.

In 2014, Linda Ikeji announced that she has bought a brand new 2014 Range Rover. A lot of people were astonished when she revealed the news. We all knew she was making money but we didn’t know she was making that much, and that really put her on the map.

In the same year Linda Ikeji’s blog was shut down for copyright infringements. In her rise to the top Linda Ikeji never turned her blog into a website. When her blog was shut down a lot of people criticized her for buying expensive cars, and not securing a website for her bread and butter. The hate and beef trickled in.

This was one of the earliest cracks in Linda Ikeji’s public image. Fortunately, she got back her site, but since then many people have perceived her as a money-obsessed individual.

Last year Linda Ikeji broke the Internet after she bought a mansion in one of the most expensive places in the world in Banana Island. According to her, she got the mansion for over N500m.

Boom! The full assault team came out. The news set Twitter on fire. Of course the congratulations rolled in, but the hate was more. Within an hour the hashtag ‘GoandMarry’ was trending. Linda Ikeji’s single status was mocked once again. Her army of haters said it would be difficult for her to get married now that she is living in such a place.

After Linda Ikeji bought the Banana Island mansion all eyes have been on her. The thirst to pull her down has been so great. During the Dasuki arms scandal it was rumoured that she was given N240million. Linda Ikeji denied that.

It was also said that her mansion was a political gift from a corrupt politician. This however was taken with a pinch of salt because of the person behind it isn't really a credible person.

The biggest blow to Linda Ikeji’s image happened this month. The super blogger shared pictures of her new Birkin bags on Instagram. On the photo sharing app people commented that the bags were fake.

Linda Ikeji took the comments to heart and went on a rant to prove that her bags were original. The incident made her look detached and a money crazed individual. She was bashed for her behaviour. The next day she apologized.

There is a blessing that comes with being anonymous. Linda Ikeji hasn’t learnt that. With the constant display of her wealth online she has become a target. And people are going to keep taking shots at her until she chills down. She's successful and haters are out for her. Some of it though has been her fault.

Will Linda Ikeji chill? No. She’s an independent female millionaire and she can do what she wants, but with that freedom comes people constantly hating and judging you. She can’t have it both ways. Linda’s longevity in this business depends if she can play the role of a bad guy. Can she? I bet she will make the headlines pretty soon.