Where is Linda Okoli now? 'Surviving Paradise' winner splits $200K prize with co-star Lellies Santiago after betrayal
GREATER HOUSTON, TEXAS: All the contestants on Netflix's 'Surviving Paradise' are playing for a $100,000 prize, so they need to play it all out to secure a spot in the opulent villa and make the relationships that will help them win in the end.
These factors contributed to Nigerian beauty Linda Okoli's victory in season 1, which everyone could not help but applaud.
Linda felt that her alliances and unselfish efforts in the top four would help her win the game. Indeed, when all the ousted contestants returned, they decisively voted in favor of Linda's triumph, making her the winner of a $200,000 grand prize, which had doubled mid-season.
The winner was offered the option of splitting the money evenly with one other person or keeping all the money for themselves, which would be enhanced to $250,000. Linda decided to honor her friendship with Lellies Santiago by splitting the money with her.
Linda, who lives in the Greater Houston Area of Texas, is doing well in life. Linda joined KTSU 90.9 FM as an On-Air Personality for the Entertainment News | Morning Vibes Show in September 2021.
In February 2022, she also became an On-Air Personality for Sports Entertainment News | Sports E-News, a job she still has today.
In addition, since August 2018, the Netflix star has worked as a self-employed Digital Content Creator for LifeOnLOC Services. Though her expertise as a legal assistant is invaluable, it appears like Linda is taking a sabbatical from the industry for the time being, though she is quite proud of her JD.
Linda celebrated her 30th birthday in September 2023 with great fanfare. She stated how much strength she has earned in the last few years of her life, which has only made her value her loved ones even more.
Lellies Santiago's betrayal put a crack in her friendship with 'Surviving Paradise' star Linda Okoli
When Season 1 of the Netflix series began, Linda and the other 12 contestants believed they would be living in an opulent villa for the entirety of the season.
They were therefore pretty upset to hear that they would all have to relocate to a simple campsite and start over from scratch.
All the contestants were told the very following morning that they could vote one individual back into the villa. Linda, Lellies Santiago, and Alex Dourassof worked wonderfully to get Linda and two other people to the height of luxury, and Lellies was able to do so because of their strong relationships.
Linda's friendship with Lellies, on the other hand, was questioned the next day when, during an Insider poll, Lellies selected her over Francisco "Sisco" Williams when it came to sending one person back to camp.
Linda's trust was shattered by the deed, even though she was able to keep her position in the villa since Sisco was eventually picked by the Outsiders to join them.
Linda became closer to Alex over the following few days as she struggled to forgive Lellies for everything.
Lellies Santiago and Linda Okoli repair their friendship in 'Surviving Paradise'
Linda opted to embrace the spirit of honesty and contentment by giving Aaron Blake her place in the villa in a significant rearrangement.
Linda was voted back into the villa after spending many days in the camp, as many were struck by her selflessness. She then decided to bring Lellies with her to the villa. However, their bond would be put to the test once more.
All the Insiders were invited to form pairs, leaving Linda and Lellies to naturally gravitate towards each other. As a result, learning that they had to choose whether to send one individual to the camp was terrible.
Linda was affected when Lellies expressed how much the winning reward would mean to her and her father. Despite her reservations about Lellies' conduct, she agreed to accompany him to the camp.
When it came time to choose the finalists, Linda was the only Outsider who was able to secure a seat in the villa, albeit she did have to eliminate Hayley Smith-Rose.
'Surviving Paradise' is streaming now on Netflix.