Big Brother Africa, Gulder Ultimate Search, Amstel Malta Box Office (AMBO), MTN Project Fame West Africa, Glo Naija Sings, Nigerian Idol, Star Quest, and Next Movie Stars are, in no particular order, some of the most popular reality shows in this side of the globe. They have also over time become a platform for the discovery of hidden talents. The organisers have also done everything inside the book to get the winners stardom. A few of the discovered talents truly are struggling to keep the flag flying. Kudos to the sponsors. But on the other hand are the likes of 2Face, Asa, MI, Genevieve Nnaji, Banky W, Kate Henshaw, Ini Edo, Mercy Johnson, Wande Coal, D’banj, Terry G, among other music and movie stars who hit the limelight unaided by the corporate bodies or such opportunities.
Yet, they have maintained their stardom. The question agitating the minds of watchers now is: why is it that despite the hype and cash attached, the flaming fame of the emerging stars of the reality TV shows always dies with the season of such talent hunt? Aside Big Brother Africa, Gulder Ultimate Search, the first Nigeria’s TV reality show and AMBO, which afford the contestants the opportunity to express their real selves, some critics have frowned on the idea of contestants of the music reality shows, performing to other peoples’ songs, to showcase their lyrical prowess. What happens to these reality show stars after the brief moment of fame? SS chronicles the lives of some of the popular reality show stars after the show which gave them the leeway to shine.
Gulder Ultimate men:
Ezugo Egwuagu (Three million naira) , Lucan Chambliss(Five million naira), Hector Jobarteh(Five million naira), , Dominic Mudabai(Five million naira), , Michael Nwachukwu (Seven million naira), Uche Nwaezeapu(Seven million naira), and Oyekunle Oluwaremi(Seven million naira), are the winners of the Gulder Ultimate Search (GUS) season 1,2,3,4,5,6 and 7 respectively. Ever since these ultimate men became millions of naira, (as stated above) richer with SUV and 500,000 naira wardrobe allowances for Michael, Uche and Oyekunle, they had disappeared from the limelight. With GUS that made its debut in 2004 currently looking for its eighth ultimate man, the whereabouts of the previous winners have left much to be desired.
Idol West African Idols:
Although, it’s not certain if this talent hunt competition has been rested, history of Timi Dakolo and Omawumi, in the Nigerian music entertainment is incomplete without mentioning the first series of Idol West Africa, held in 2007. Interestingly, while Omawumi who led from behind was shot to the limelight with her hit single track titled ‘In the Music’, Timi Dakolo, winner of the Idol West Africa, is yet to be heard. And while the now mother of one is being nominated for several awards for ‘Ask me Why’, her followup single, Timi’s debut album titled ‘Beautiful Noise’ is still struggling for a space on most popular music charts.
Amstel Box Office (AMBO) stars:
Aside the discovery of the aspiring screen gods and goddesses, AMBO, a yearly talent launched in 2005, stands out as a TV reality show, that does not only empower the youths but winners are thereafter made to play the lead role in a mainstream Nollywood road show that provides viewing experience of the movie for the public across the country. Azizat Sadiq, O C Ukeje , Bhaira McWizu, Adewole Ojo and Ivie Okujaye are the AMBO stars, who have gone on to achieve success from magazines covers to awards and starring in multimillion naira movies like Sitanda, Whitewaters , Cindy’s Notes, The Child and Alero Symphony. Although, some of the films that came from the now rested AMBO have won awards both locally and internationally, fame seems to be far away from the discovered stars. Big Brother Africa’s Kevin Chuwang Pam, Uti Nwachukwu, and Karen Igho: It’s a grand record breaking as Nigeria becomes the first African country to win BBA, the most popular TV reality show in Africa, back to back. Kevin, the first Nigerian to win, is still struggling to hold on to the fame.
Apart from a couple of appearances here and there, Kevin’s numerous fans are still waiting for something fresh from him. Uti, the BBA All stars winner, is leaving no stone unturned to up his game. He has done some modelling jobs and still sizzling with Jara, the M-Net’s entertainment programme, which he’s co-hosting with Helen Paul. What’s up with Uti’s music and acting career is the question seeking an answer. Karen: With her current status, what the future holds for the bold and blunt belle is still indecisive, as she is a beginner in the race to fame. Although, the trio still have their names on the lips of many, would they be able to maintain the fame and fortune? Or will they garner more success after the reality show?
Star Quest products
KcPresh: The duo of Kingsley Okonkwo and Precious John made up ‘KcPresh, the defunct musical group of two that won the maiden edition of the popular Star Quest, held in 2002. Until they went their separate ways a couple of months ago, KcPresh did everything possible to stay relevant in the game. Although, known for their trendy lifestyle with a couple of awards to show for their doggedness and money made from show business, KcPresh were averagely rated in terms of album sales. Conversely, it has not been a rough ride to fame for Da’accord, D’jewell, Diamonds, The Pulse, Juke Box and B.E.A.T Band, the winners of 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 editions respectively. The Pulse dazzled all when they had Buster Rhymes on the remix of ‘So tey’, their debut track and Diamonds shone with ‘Bosokoto’, the band’s popular song that featured Abass Akande Obesere but fame seems to have eluded Da’accord, D’jewell, Juke Box and others.
Next Movie stars
While Kingsley Ogboso, Portia Yamahan, Enoch Hammond, Avenette Sirleaf, Oyindamola Odesola and Akio Precious Ilami, previous winners of Sola Fajobi’s Next Movie Star, are undoubtedly struggling for the limelight, ironically, Kevin Chuwang Pam and Karen Igho who were the losers became winners of Big Brother Africa, the widely acclaimed Africa’s most popular TV reality show. While Portia Yamahan is been rated as the most popular among the Next Movie Stars, Annie Macaulay and Tonto Dikeh, the acclaimed hottest face of Nollywood, are the rejected stones who have now become the cornerstone of the Nigerian entertainment industry. As the search for the next movie star gathers momentum, when would the discovered stars of the past editions start shinning?
Stars of MTN Project Fame
Darey Art Alade: The former Cool 96.9 FM presenter was floored at 2004 edition of MTN Project Fame West Africa, held in South Africa. Consistency and tenacity are some of the qualities, which Darey combined with his lyrical wit to stay ahead of the game. Today, the acclaimed Nigerian R n B king is doing very well. Interestingly, the story is not the same with Inyanya Mbuk, the winner of maiden edition of Nigeria’s MTN Project Fame West Africa held in 2008. Although, ‘Love Truly’, ‘No Time’ are some of the songs that Iyanya used to prove his excellent vocal delivery, it’s no doubt that the Calabar descendant is still an inch close to the spotlight. While Mike Anyasodo, the winner of PRWA 2009 edition could only achieve mini success with ‘Fine Lady’, his debut song that rocked the airwaves for some time, how far the buzzes generated by the season three winner, Chidinma’s new single track titled ‘Jankoliko featuring SoundSultan, would last?
Glo Naija Sings
As aspiring music stars are currently singing their ways to fame and fortune in the third season of Glo Naija Sings, the whereabouts of Jon Ogah, the winner of the first edition held in 2009, have ignited speculations. Though SS gathered that Jon is presently schooling abroad, would the youngster, whose debut song titled ‘Gbedu’, struggle to get airplay or easily access the spotlight when he graduates? Casey Edema: This dude is quite lucky, as he emerged winner of the season that saw Globacom Telecommunication as a major sponsor of M-Net’s TV reality show. Apart from been $100,000 richer and owner of a brand new Toyota Rav 4, Casey was also made a Glo Ambassador. Unfortunately, ‘First Lady’, Casey’s debut track couldn’t compliment his achievement at Glo Naija Sings. Also, when is he going to release an album is a question waiting for answer.
Nigerian Idol
It’s no longer news that auditions for the second season of Nigerian Idol have began and many people are waiting in anticipation to see Yeka Onka, the winner of the TV reality show that made its debut last year, hitting the top at one shot. Would ‘Follow You’, a new single off Yeka’s forthcoming debut album, make it easy for her? Time will surely tell.
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