The audience rang with screams and howls of admiration, on Sunday, as the 16 contestants in the MTN Project Fame Season Seven academy begun their journey into what has been defined as true stardom. Geoffrey and Flourish, singing ‘Knocking on Heaven’s Door’ and ‘Hello’ by Bob Dylan and Beyonce, respectively, earned their applause. In contrast, Clement, David, Emeka and shola failed to live up to the judges’ expectations. Therefore, the four became the first set of contestants up for eviction. Continue...
Their fates now lie in the hands of West Africa’s followers
of the popular reality TV show, who will be voting to keep, at most, two of the
contestants from being evicted from the competition this week.
The contestants either didn’t use the stage well, as was the
case with Clement; or didn’t commit more energy into their performances, which
Shola and David were guilty of. Emeka fell in between as his rendition of ‘To
Love a Woman’ by Bryan Adams was adjudged poor.
Asides Flourish and Geoffrey and the four contestants on
probation the other ten barely scraped through with performances that were, at
best, above average.
The fates of Project Fame’s contestants have always rested
on the judges’ verdicts and votes from viewers. Prior to Sunday, the first
performance show on Saturday clearly showed the contestants were just settling
into life in the academy.
At the first performance show of the 7th edition
of the West Africa’s biggest reality show, the judges comprising Bibie Brew,
Ade Bantu and ably represented by ace music producer, TY-Mix, spared no words
in condemning all the 16 contestants for putting up average performances in
their first appearance.
In a bid to nurture top-notch superstars, MTN Project Fame
judges are known to be blunt in critically appraising performances in the
academy. That has not changed though. Labeling the performances as ‘cold’,
‘flat’ and ‘average’, TY-Mix advised the contestants to work harder – reminding
them that the competition has begun already.
However, the music producer singled out Flourish who
rendered Whitney Houston’s ‘I didn’t Know My Own Strength’ as the only
excellent performance on the night.
Perhaps, ‘the contestants are still adjusting to the reality
of life in the academy’, assumed Joseph Benjamin, the co-host. The ebullient
Nollywood actor was full of optimism that each of the contestants would perform
better next time having received their first baptism of fire.
The audience, who hardly knew the difference, thoroughly
enjoyed themselves. They basked in the euphoria of great love and inspirational
songs of yester years. For instance, Ogechukwu, stunning and dashing, was
applauded when she rendered ‘When You Believe’, originally sang by Mariah
Carey.
Shola roused everyone within earshot. The song, ‘I Believe I
Can Fly’, seemed to have been one of his favourite – left for some flat notes
here and there. There was also Jeffrey’s rendition of Michael Jackson’s ‘Heal
the Word’; Lamey’s ‘Hero’, David’s ‘Heal Me’ by Mariah Carey and Michael Bolton
respectively.
The atmosphere was emotionally charged when Christian
performed ‘When a Man Loves a Woman’ and Ruky did Jennifer Hudson’s ‘If This Is
Love’. These renditions and many others by Ugo, Kofo, Taiwo, Debby and the rest
give the ardent followers of the reality show an assurance of great times to
come as the battle for who emerges the next MTN superstar get more intense.
Meanwhile, Olukanni
Bolanle, new co-host, showed why the organisers of the show bestowed so much
confidence on her. So far, she has been all glitz and glamour with her elegant dresses and
impeccable grammar.
Flourish performing 'Hello' by Beyonce
David, who couldn't reproduce Fela's energy
Shola had a rough time delivering Michael Jackson's 'You Are Not Alone'
The first four contestants on probation (L-R, emeka, Shola, David and Clement)
Ruky, who also had a great night, performing Adele's 'Sky Fall'
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