Today we’d like to introduce you to Christine Obanor
Hi Christine , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Growing up in an immigrant household and moving to America at such a young age didn’t make my family’s financial situation any easier. I didn’t grow up with money, nor did I see anyone in my environment who encouraged me to strive for it. But I still had a burning sensation in my heart that I was going to be somebody. I would say, “I’m going to be famous one day” and “I’m going to be on TV one day,” without realizing that what seemed like “delusion” to others at the time was just me speaking into existence what had not yet come.
I wanted to model, and though I did small gigs here and there, I moved to New York in 2019 to pursue my modeling career. However, I faced countless rejections. During COVID, I moved back to Houston with my parents and grew closer to my cousin, who introduced me to Love Island. I became obsessed with the show, and she hyped me up, telling me she could see me doing it. She encouraged me to apply, and I made it through several rounds of interviews. I got further than I was used to compared to my past rejections, but in the end, they passed on me.
I was completely heartbroken because I wanted to use that platform to build my influence and gain respect and validation from the modeling industry. That’s when I became passionate about the idea of being on reality TV. I applied to a casting director’s portal and later received an email invitation to apply for a dating show I wasn’t familiar with. Fast forward to my first “yes”—I found myself on an island, in the presence of LANA, realizing I was on Too Hot to Handle.
Everything I do is for my family—to give them the financial freedom they deserve. I made sure not to let the opportunity slip away due to a lack of screen time, so I did what I needed to do to stay relevant. I gave TV—well, great TV. I didn’t expect a second reality show to fall into my lap afterward, but it did. And while the outcome wasn’t as magical or heartwarming as my first show, I still grew as a person from the experience.
Now, I’m showered with love from all over the world, with young girls expressing how my presence on TV has boosted their confidence—whether in embracing their natural hair, their height, or their slim bodies—all things I was once deeply insecure about.
My journey is far from over, and I still have so much to accomplish in this lifetime. But my drive and determination will get me everything I want, just as they’ve gotten me this far.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
If my journey had been easy, I don’t think I’d be as driven or goal-oriented as I am today. I would have taken everything for granted.
One of my biggest struggles—aside from growing up in a household where survival meant making ends meet—was pursuing my modeling career. Being in a limited household and environment can be the foundation of generational curses, one that’s hard to break free from unless you believe in yourself enough to become somebody. I modelled in 2014- 2015 and was signed to a small agency in Houston, but had to pause to pursue my education because it’s what my father demanded of me. Between 2019 and 2024, I went back to pursuing my modeling career and have been rejected by over 80 modeling agencies worldwide.
My story isn’t finished yet. The perfect ending would be that after two dating shows, I finally got signed and am now living the model dream. But that’s not my reality.
In 2019, the industry stripped me of my self-worth with its relentless pressure and criticism. I was told to lose weight, which led to an eating disorder, then binge eating everything I had lost. I had forced myself into a strict keto diet, waking up to do fasted cardio—because that’s what an agency advised—and eating less than 1,200 calories a day.
I lived in a model apartment where multiple girls were crammed into one bedroom, sleeping on bunk beds, living out of suitcases. My second home wasn’t much better—15 girls, most of whom weren’t clean, and the only fridge space I had was a cheese drawer.
Our job was to go to the club three times a week in exchange for free rent. Sounds easy, but it was draining. We weren’t allowed to sit, had to wear heels if we weren’t tall enough, couldn’t be on our phones, and were expected to look like we were having fun.
To survive, I picked up extra night shifts at the club, making $60–$70 just to afford groceries from Dollar Tree.
I dyed my hair blonde after a moment that stuck with me from NYFW in 2019. I had walked in a show, and the Black producer pulled all the Black girls aside, telling us that all our Black girl power needed to stop. We were ordered to straighten our hair if we wanted to walk because, as Black women in the industry, we had to learn to blend in.
I already knew the industry lacked diversity, so I did what I thought I had to do—I blended in. And for a while, I felt good about my blonde hair. But when I started meeting with agencies, they still pushed back. One even told me my blonde hair would only make sense if I had colored eyes.
So, like the puppet to the industry I was, I went back to dark brown. And still—nothing.
I was simply too big.
I was what they called swing size—too big to be a standard model, with my hips at 38 inches instead of 34, but too small to be a curve model.
Now, as a reality star and full-time content creator, I’m still working toward my next big accomplishment. Through every hardship, I’ve grown in confidence, and I know one thing for sure:
The industry’s “no” doesn’t define me.
Because whatever door God has opened for me—no man can close.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
II am an artist, and I love to express myself through creation. My art comes to life through my work—the way I pose behind the camera during photoshoots, my ability to transform a vision into reality through filming and editing videos for my social channels, and the confidence that now defies the insecurities of my younger self.
Some people may know me from social media, but many recognize me from my two appearances on Netflix—Too Hot to Handle and as the winner of Perfect Match.
I am incredibly proud of how strong I’ve become despite the obstacles and hardships I’ve faced. I have overcome self-hate fueled by my height, body, and hair—things society once made me feel weren’t enough. So, I picked up their slack and loved myself enough for all of us.
Even now, I can be hard on myself, but I make sure to reflect on how far I’ve come. I acknowledge that I have become the role model for so many young girls—the one I wish I had when I was younger.
What sets me apart is my mindset. I am a go-getter who refuses to let circumstances define me. Nothing will stop me from becoming the person I was destined to be.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
My current favorite book—the one that helps me be my best in life—is the Bible. If you had asked me this a few years ago, I never would have imagined saying that.
Every morning, I dedicate an hour to Jesus time. Through reading the Bible, I’ve learned to navigate life’s hardships while holding on to my faith and purpose. Especially in life’s storms—when I think about giving up (pshhh, as if I came this far just to come this far).
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGdK8bjCDU/GUw8bOdm-f1LXYlGnjUqKw/view?utm_content=DAGdK8bjCDU&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h071cd60f0f
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/christineobanor
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@christineobanor
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@christineobanor
Image Credits
Michael Benjamin Blank
Lindy Lin
Laretta Houston
