Reality show star Oluwarise Deborah Ebun popularly known as Debie Rise has given insight into her background, growing up in a Christian and displeasing her father who is a preacher and didn’t approve of her to partake in the controversial Tv competition, Big Brother Nigeria.
Although that was not her introduction to spotlight, as she emerged first runner up at the Nigerian Idol music competition in 2013, Debie knew that to break into Nigeria’s music mainstream, she would need to take bold moves to bring attention to her talent.
Speaking with Entertainment News on Channels Television Debie Rise explained that a church should help an entertainer to be better.
“The whole reason for church, the whole reason for the upbringing that we have is not just for yourselves, it is actually because there should be cases where you have to apply the discipline in a larger world and with more people.
“However, in entertainment, it is almost impossible not to lead people astray, I don’t think they are worlds apart. The church should help an entertainer to be a better entertainer.”
Her time in the house was not without controversy, which caused friction on the home front.
Debie admits that she still gets called out by critics who have different expectations of her as a preacher’s daughter.
“I ran away from the house, that was mean but I knew what I wanted. When Popsi found out, it wasn’t funny, I had to assure him that at the end of the competition, people will congratulate him for being a good dad.
“When I came home they asked me to kneel down so they can cast everything from me but at the end of the day, I have heard so many women say, I want my daughter to be like Debie Rise. I thank God for how everything turned out.”
Her musical career has since received a much-needed boost! with almost 10 songs to her name, the guitar wielding star is not resting on her oars.
She recently released a music video, here to stay, produced by Johnny Drille.she credits the inspiration behind the motivational song to a higher power.
I’m trying to sound too spiritual but I just prayed that I want to write a song that people will be blessed by it. I feel this particular song is a message and I am happy with the responses I am getting from the song.”
She mentioned Alicia Keys, Beyonce and Tiwa Savage as some of her strongest influences. Their success has driven her to create the Debie Rise empire which will serve as both music imprint and a platform to raise new talent for the industry.
“I’m on this project, it is a nationwide tour. I am visiting 17 states and the whole idea of the tour is for every state I go to, dancers, comedians, music artist from that state will share the stage with me and perform. I will broadcast on as many TV stations as possible so this person can be seen, discovered and can be contacted.
“I am also going to a secondary school in every state and will be giving them guitar. The only reason I can play the guitar is that it was at my disposal.”
Debie Rise, a Kogi state indigence, raised in Kaduna, is a graduate of computer science from the Federal University of Technology, Yola.
She is currently working on an EP titled ‘Rage’ an acronym for ‘Rise Above General Expectation.’