Nigerian reality TV star and influencer, Anita Natacha Akide, popularly known as Symply Tacha, has made history after breaking two Guinness World Records in a single day, inspiring women across Africa through creativity, strength, and resilience.
The 29-year-old star, known for her roles in Big Brother Naija and MTV’s The Challenge, earned the titles for the most cosmetic makeovers in eight hours (82) and the most cosmetic makeovers in 24 hours (144) during an event held in Lagos, Nigeria, on October 12, 2024.
Tacha transformed her passion for beauty into a record breaking mission, performing makeovers for dozens of women while facing harsh conditions, including a nine hour storm and multiple power outages. Despite the setbacks, she completed each makeover with precision and determination.
“The idea of daring to be different drove me,” she said. “Makeup has always been my safe space, it’s how I express myself.”
Setting up her makeup station behind a glass wall in Lagos, she attracted a cheering crowd who watched her bring joy and confidence to women eager to be part of the record breaking moment.
“From childhood, I was fascinated by beauty and colours,” she recalled. “I’d play around with mascara, eyeliners, and lip glosses even when my mum, a devoted church worker, didn’t approve. She’d throw my products away, and I’d save up to buy them again. That pattern taught me persistence to keep fighting for what I love.”
The Nigerian beauty entrepreneur went on to say the feat was born from “the courage to stand out.”
“I wanted to show that Nigerian women can achieve anything they put their minds to, that creativity is powerful, and that African women deserve global recognition.”
Tacha shattered the previous record, held by Sierra Leone’s Mary Yongai, by more than 30 people. Each of her 144 makeovers included foundation, concealer, blush, two eyeshadows, mascara, lip liner and gloss, finishing powder, and eyebrow styling.
Beyond just makeup, each woman received a personalized look, leaving the station smiling with renewed confidence.
“Every participant left feeling confident and beautiful, that was very important to me,” she said.
But the journey was not easy. “We faced a nine hour storm that disrupted everything,” Tacha said. “The rain poured so heavily that our screens, monitors, and branding fell apart. The wind scattered the setup, and we had to rebuild the venue from scratch mid event. On top of that, we experienced multiple power outages during the 24 hour attempt. The lights went off three or four times, but I refused to stop. My team turned on their phone flashlights, and I kept doing makeovers in the dark.”
“It wasn’t just about makeup anymore,” she added. “It was about proving that nothing could stop us.”
Her strength came from the people around her. “The people kept me going,” she said. “My makeup artist assistants, the crowd cheering outside gave me energy, and every model that sat in my chair became a new canvas, a new spark of motivation.”
By the time she received confirmation from Guinness World Records, the Lagos born star said she was “beyond emotional.”
“I screamed, cried, hugged my sister and assistants, we were all overwhelmed. It felt like the whole of Nigeria was celebrating with me. Seeing the comments online, the love, the excitement… it felt like every person who had ever believed in me was standing right there.”
Tacha’s accomplishment, she said, was not just about a title. “It wasn’t just about setting a record, it was about rewriting narratives that African women can lead, create, and inspire at a global level.”
She also appreciated her fans, known as Titans, and her team led by Seun Oluyemi Anthony (Otunba) for helping organize and recruit participants for the historic event.
In a heartfelt Instagram post celebrating the feat, Tacha wrote:
“FIRST NIGERIAN TO BREAK 2 RECORDS AT A GO!!! ACTIVE ACTIVE ACTIVE!!! GOD DID IT!!! My Messiah DID IT!!! My mummy in HEAVEN!! YOU DID IT!!! felt you holding my shoulders when my knees were shaking…
To my FANS!! TITANS: where would I be without you? When the world wrote me off, when I was blacklisted for being real, Toucher, authentic, unapologetic! you held me up… Because you don’t stop, I will never stop. The world will never forget your name.”
She ended the post with a message to dreamers everywhere: “This record isn’t just mine. It belongs to every girl child who has ever dared to start over, every creative who has ever been doubted… I want my story to remind the world that greatness has no geography, and that Africa’s creative power deserves to be seen, celebrated, and remembered.”
Symply Tacha’s triumph has since sparked widespread celebration across social media, with fans and fellow celebrities praising her resilience and dedication.
As she looks ahead to future record attempts, her message remains simple: never stop believing in your own story.
Ademide Adebayo
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