The popular talent search reality TV show Nigerian Idol hosted a dazzling night of entertainment on 16 February at the Civic Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos to launch its top 12 contestants, who all officially performed together for the first time.
Celebrity guest performers Lynxxx, Tiwa Savage and Nigerian Idols Season 2 winner Mercy Chinwo added to the entertainment mix on the night. Ill Rhymz was the host for the unveiling.
The top 12 contestants serenaded the crowd with love songs that were the perfect backdrop for the romantic Valentine’s Day mood of the week. Among the audience were celebrities like singer Nneka, Michelle Dede, Lala Akindoju, OC Ukeje, Toke Makinwa and more, alongside the judges of the show, Femi Kuti, Yinka Davies and Jeffrey Daniel.
“We know we have the best talent that we could find,’ said Rotimi Pedro, group MD of the show’s production company Optima Media Group (OMG), as he spoke about the contestants selected for the current third season of the show. He also extended a word of gratitude to the lead sponsor of the show, telecoms giant Etisalat, who have supported all three seasons of the show so far, and Pepsi, for being an Associate sponsor on Nigerian Idol.
The CEO of Etisalat Nigeria, Steven Evans, was also effusive about his praise for the show as he highlighted the partnership Etisalat and Nigerian Idol had forged over the past three seasons.
It was the performances that were the crowning jewel of the evening, commencing with Lynxxx, who, with the help of the live band, seduced the crowd with a knock out live performance. Tiwa Savage sang a touching tribute to late singer and performer Goldie Harvey, before she performed some of her most loved hits.
Singing No One Like You by P-Square, the top 12 were luminous as they made their stage debut. The contestants then formed more intimate groups and sang again. Immaculate Victoria, Abasiakan, Joe Emmal, and Kome sang A Whole New World, from Walt Disney’s Aladdin. Then Jay Feel, Danny Angus, Debbie Rise and Amara performed Oyi (I Dey Catch Cold) by Flavour. Moses, Efezino, Vicci and Sefeeyat were the last to perform for the evening, singing George Benson’s Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love for You.
Nigerian Idol airs on Saturday on NTA at 15h00, Sound City and ONTV at 19h00, Silverbird at 19h30, Superscreen at 18h30 and TVC at 21h30, to watch the results show. Then, catch all-new performances on Sunday on NTA at 15h30, Sound City and ONTV at 19h00, Silverbird at 20h00, TVC at 20h30 and Superscreen at 21h30 to watch the contestants have their shot at the grand prize.
For more information and backstories on the contestants visit www.nigerianidol.com
