Nigerian Idol Auditions Contestants: Attention Shifts to Lagos

The Dream Studios, venue of the final and Lagos leg of the on-going nationwide auditions of the Nigerian Idol season 5 will this weekend be a beehive of entertainment activities and the centre of attraction to thousands of youths who will all be gathered for the three-day auditions.

The Lagos auditions is coming after the organisers and franchise owners, OMG, successfully concluded similar ones in the ancient city of Benin, Port Harcourt, the FCT, Abuja and Ibadan within the last one month.

Informed commentators on happenings in the entertainment arena are anticipating stiff competition among the contestants given the position of the state as Nigeria’s entertainment capital. It is estimated to attract a larger number of contestants, all vying for places among the 100 best contestants to be pooled from the auditions.

The auditions will be directed by the three celebrity judges on the Nigerian Idol season 5, renowned Afrobeat sensation, Dede Mabiaku, Vocalist Yinka Davies and R’n’ B crooner, Dare ‘Art’ Alade with Show anchorman, Illrhymz. It will also feature live performances by some of the past winners.

Music talents at the auditions are expected to go through a multi-layered screening process beginning with opening registration of participants on the first day followed thereafter by the first round of screening to determine the most outstanding talents from the lot who will then make scheduled appearances before the judges on the second and third day in batches.

The Lagos auditions holding from February 7 to 9will mark the conclusion of the month-long nationwide campaign which took of January 10 in the ancient city of Benin in Edo State.

Nigerian Idol is in its fifth season after a successful debut in 2010 won by Yeka Onka. In the following years which saw the emergence of Mercy Chinwo, Moses Adigwe and Zebili Evelyn (Evelle), it has grown in popularity and followership on the basis of the unique platforms it offers to young Nigerians with exceptional music talent. It is the only music TV reality show in Nigeria with a global appeal that currently cuts across 46 countries.

Nigerian Idol focuses on discovering Nigerian youths with talent in music and giving them a unique platform to take shots at stardom. The eventual winner goes home with N7.5 million cash reward, a brand new car, a recording deal worth N7.5 million and some high-end devices.

Nigerian Idol season five is sponsored by leading telecommunications operator, Etisalat, Dabur toothpaste and E-Commerce platform, Payporte and will feature such enthralling performances which were the hallmarks of past winners among whom are Yeka Onka, Mercy Chinwo, Moses Adigwe and Zibili Evelyn who goes by the stage name Evelle.