OMG, others unveil Nigerian Idol Top 12

Franchise owners of Nigerian Idol TV Reality Show, Optima Media Group (OMG), has unveiled the last 12 contestants in the on-going season 5 of the show. The unveiling which took place at the Dream Studios, Ojodu-Omole at the weekend was in association with Show sponsor, Etisalat Nigeria and partners, Payporte, Cool Fm, Tantalizers, Tom Tom, Zaron, Dabur Toothpaste, So-Klin, ORS and Ellen Suites.

The top 12 most outstanding acts will be squaring up against one another from the week of April 26 for the N7.5 million top spot cash reward as well as other multi-million naira juicy offers chief among which include a recording deal with South Africa-based Universal Music label and a brand new SUV car. They had beaten 20 others to make the cut.

The contestants include Ogunmoyero Modolowamu (Dolu), Oyinkepreye Deborah Toun (Preye), Janet Ebiwari Ayoka (Ayoka), Godson Goodluck (Classic Tunez), Ogunrombi Kunle (K-Peace), Esther Aritheshoma Monday (Sther), Adigwe Brenda Ada (Brenda), Ekeoma Victor Chibuzor (Prime), Paul Manuwa (P.Scholes), Okemiri Uloma Margaret (Uloma), Omodele Diana Fatoki (Modele) and Ese-Amadasun Imuetiyan (Nex2).

For some, making the top 12 cut was a rather easier task with a lot of thanks to their performances and the public voting process. Others had to travel the nervy route laden with uncertainties, happenstance and the Judges’ Wild Card to get to this stage.

In the first eviction show featuring 10 contestants from an initial pool of 30, Prime, Dolu and Preye expectedly got the nod ahead of seven others after posting outstanding performances to position as the brightest choices of both the judges and the viewing public.

The second batch was dubbed the ‘group of Death’ on the strength of its consisting of the competition’s leading contenders in Brenda, Modele, Sther, Tama Nisa, Shayee and Classic Tunez. At the end of proceedings, Brend, Tama Nisa and Nex2 emerged victorious, but not without some displeasure from the judges over Nex2’s qualification. He had been dubbed the ‘worst performer’ from the pack. Tama Nisa however, pulled out of the competition on health grounds, and was subsequently replaced by Classic Tunez who had to prove his mettle after returning to the show on the Judges Wild Card platform.

The third batch threw up the likes K-Peace, Ayoka and Uloma whose qualification raised some eyebrows especially from the Judges and a section of the viewing public that rated her performance below par.

Sther, Modele and P.Scholes were picked to complete the puzzle by the judges through the wild card route. They had to fend off last minute competition notably from Oluchi, Sopriye and Precious.

Nex2 has not started his Nigerian Idol Season 5 campaign on a better note, despite making it to the top 12 in season 4. His qualification drew the ire of the judges who had rated his performance very awful and did not consider him a contestant to get a look in. His real name is Ese-Amadasun Imuetiyan from Edo state. He is 23 years old and a student. He auditioned in Benin City.