One of the most impactful, and entertaining reality TV shows in Africa, Project Fame West Africa, recently released another set of talents to the Nigerian music industry. The successful event had Okiemute Ighorodje, a 25 year-old graduate of Linguistics and Communication, from University of Port Harcourt, emerging as the winner. Hence, she went home with five million Naira, an SUV and a recording contract. The other five finalists got consolation prizes of between three million and five hundred thousand. YES INTERNATIONAL! Magazine’s JULIET IKEOKWU visited Ultima Studios, on Funke Zainab Usman Street, Lekki, Lagos to interview them. Excerpts…
Okiemute (1st prize winner)…
How do you feel about winning Project Fame, Season 9?
I feel happy, privileged. It feels very great because watching from other seasons, I knew that there were a lot I needed to learn. We all wanted the prize, but I told myself that I need to know more about music. So, basically, for me, it was just to learn because when you learn, you will be able to put what you learnt to good use and with your hard work you will get to your destination. I knew that there will only be one winner, so I planned to make good use of the academy, even if I’m not the winner.
Describe your Project Fame experience…
It was educating, interesting, overwhelming, scary. I had a joy moment and moments I wished it could be over. It was a worthwhile experience.
What was going through your mind in the final week?
We all felt tired. You know that feeling you get when you are promised something on a particular day and you can’t wait for that day to come. As the finals drew close, everybody wanted to jump. I could see it in all of us.
When you were announced the winner, what went through your mind?
My first and second voice were not even talking to me; everything was just happening at once. I remember Elizabeth telling me to smile for the camera, then I heard my name. I was in shock. I told a lady to pinch me to know if it’s real and not a dream. I didn’t even know how I got on the floor.
How did you feel when you saw your mum when you were performing on stage?
I was really happy because I did not see her the previous day and I didn’t know if she will be there again. When I started performing I didn’t see her, but when I eventually did, the feeling was amazing. I had more confidence, strength, I even forgot the prize and entertained them as well as enjoyed myself.
So, what do you plan to do with your money?
The academy provided us with financial consultants who gave us advice, and all of them mentioned one thing; which is to keep the money away for a while. For all of them to say this, it means that it’s a key thing. So, that’s what I’m going to do.
What is next for Okiemute?
The reality is that it doesn’t end here. As a matter of fact, it’s just started. So, I’m going to put in myself to make the most of my career. So, henceforth, it’s hard work all the way, and hope for the best.
Who did you see as competition among the top six?
Everyone was good and I did not see them as competitors, rather I saw them as a motivation to do my best.
So, who was your closest friend in the house?
I will say Pere, because we auditioned in Port Harcourt. Before then, I had been hearing about him. We have a group where we share gospel truth about God and it was in that group that I heard about Pere David. I didn’t even know that he was the one until we came to top 24 and friends now told me that Pere was there.
Were you in a relationship before you got into the academy?
That’s private, I will keep that to myself.
What do you look out for in a man?
I love happy people, God fearing, good looking someone that loves himself because if you love yourself, then you can love me.
What did you miss most while in the academy?
I missed my friends. That is something I cannot do without. I missed opening my window and seeing day light. I’m not crazy about phones, so I didn’t miss it that much.
You said the experience was scary, what do you mean by that?
Scary in the sense that you don’t know if your preparation was enough to keep you in the competition.
Since you were never up for probation or up for eviction, did that give you the confidence that you may win the prize money?
In fact, that was the reason I was scared because I didn’t even know if West Africa loved me or not. Others had been saved on several occasions.
How do you intend to cope with your new found fame?
To be very sincere, I’ve not really taken time to think about it. It just happened few days ago and so I will pray for God to guide me and bring the right people to my path.
Which musicians do you look up to?
I love the energetic Omawumi, Yemi Alade, Seyi Shey, Chidinma, Tiwa Savage, Madonna, Beyonce, Mary J Blige, etc.
Are you ready to settle down now?
I don’t know what the future holds. So, we will just wait and see.
Are you going to relocate to Lagos?
Let’s leave that for the future.
What would you say was your strategy for winning?
I don’t know, I was just being myself. So, there were times I got angry, there were times I got others angry, but in all, I was just being me. Just like no one is perfect.
How did you get the inspiration for your song, Iya Mi?
I love children, I love to make people happy. So, the music is about what people are going through, difficult times and people who do not have anyone to speak for them; mother earth speaks for them. I know Iya Mi and Elizabeth helped me with the other Yoruba language that you hear in the music because I don’t understand Yoruba well.
What advise can you give to people that may wish to be Project Fame winners someday?
Whatever you want to be, just be focused and do it well, because everything that is worth doing is worth doing well. Hard work is always rewarded. As a singer, I always follow up trying to know when it’s time for every music contest.
Elizabeth (2nd prize winner) …
Congrats on being the first runner up in Project Fame, Season 9?
Thank you.
How do you feel right now?
I feel good, I feel like a celebrity right now. It’s such an awesome experience and I enjoyed every bit of this great experience. When I went on social media, oh! my God, I wanted to cry.
How did you feel when Okiemute was announced the winner of Project Fame, Season 9?
Everything was happening at the same time. I probably would have shown some emotions, but my friends, family and fans came to the stage and carried me up and that was it for me.
What is next for you?
I’m still enjoying this for now, but after here, it’s work non-stop. I’m going to use all that I learnt here and put it to good use. Read a lot of books to be able to write.
So, where do you see yourself in future?
I see myself owning a brand that will include music and fashion that will go international.
I know that you must have been hearing about Project Fame before now, why did you participate this year?
Even a small two year-old child knows about Project Fame. I’ve been working, but I was scared to come. I always feel that this cannot happen to me. Somehow, I pushed myself to come this year and here we are.
Your advise to young people who may like to participate, but are scared to do so?
Take yourself out of your comfort zone and do your best. Don’t listen to all the negative voices, just listen to you. If you can dream it, you can make it happen. I dreamt of performing “Man Down” by Rihana and I did it this year and I wished it could happen for three years because I visualized it before it happened.
How far do you intend to take your friendship with Ketay?
Yes! We are very good friends and I hope we could still be like that when we leave this place; maybe we could work together.
Tell us about your background.
My name is Elizabeth Jelade. I’m from Ondo State, I am the last child. I have a sister and a brother. I have a diploma in Mass Communication from Ibadan Polytechnic. I worked with Konga.com for two years and I love fashion.
Kitay, who is the second runner up went home with two million Naira and a Salon car, and has this to say (3rd prize winner)…
How do you feel now that you are two million Naira richer than you were before you entered the house?
I feel happy and I’m grateful that I came this far in the competition.
The expression on your face depicted disappointment. Were you surprised that you did not win Project Fame, Season 9?
To be sincere, I was not happy. As a human being, I wanted to win it, but when my name was called as the second runner up, I was shocked. But I am happy for Okiemute.
Do you have any regrets in the house?
Yes! I had an incident with Miss Loveth, our dance teacher, where she thought that I did not want to participate in the rehearsal, not knowing that I was not feeling strong. And I didn’t explain myself to her. The following day, I was suspended from rehearsals. That taught me a lesson in explaining more and apologizing immediately.
What’s your relationship with Elizabeth?
We are just friends, but she is a beautiful woman.
What was the experience like in the academy?
It was interesting, fun and tedious because we had many new tasks to perform every week. So, it was not all rosy. But all in all, it’s all worth it.
What do we expect from you in the future?
Expect the best from me. I will try and use this platform to establish myself in the music industry.
What’s your background?
I am a student of Vocational Education in Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, Edo State. I come from a polygamous family. I am the fifth son of my dad and the fifth child of my mum.
Pere is the third runner up and he got two million Naira. He had this to say…
How do you feel being among the finalists and winning two million Naira?
I feel really blessed, to be honest, because this has always been something I really wanted. Not just for the prize or exposure, but the platform in general because it teaches us a lot of things. It’s more like a school. I’ve been trying since Season Five and I made this. I’m grateful.
Tell us about your background.
I am an undergraduate of Political Science in Niger Delta University. We were on strike, so I tried this and it worked.
How do you plan to do music and study at the same time?
If there is one thing I’ve learnt here, it’s discipline. With it I can do both and do it well. When it’s time for academics I do that; so also music. I won’t let one suffer because of the other.
How can you describe the Project Fame experience?
I learnt a lot. It’s an interesting one. It was fun and at the same time difficult because they put us through a lot in order to bring out the best in us.
What do you intend to do with your money?
They taught us a lot of things here, not just music. So, I won’t just do anything with it for now. I will just save it for now and make a concrete plan of what I will do with it. I know I want to go into music production; part of the money will be for that.
Who were your closest pals in the academy?
I was very close to many people, the winner, Okiemute, Steve, Oluchi, etc.
How can you describe Okiemute?
She is a nice person, she has a pure soul. She goes out of her way to make sure that others are okay. I am really happy for her.
Dapo is the third runner up and he won for himself one million Naira…
Tell us about yourself…
My name is Dapo Anjola, I’m 19 years old, I am the first in a family of six, including my parents. I am studying System Engineering in University of Lagos; I started singing at a very young age, following my mum to choir rehearsals. I participated in many music competitions in secondary school and here I am now.
How do you intend to use the exposure this platform has given you?
I think I will want to hit the industry hard now. I will use this opportunity and drop a single now that everyone is still talking about Project Fame, Season 9 and watch how it goes.
So, how will you combine music and your studies?
I actually deferred my studies for a semester before coming to the academy. So, after a semester I will go back to school.
How do your parents feel about this your decision?
They are supportive, especially my mum. My dad is an academic, but he is happy that I made it this far and I know he will give his full approval when I make it.
Describe your Project Fame experience.
I feel good, I must say. When I came into the academy, many people thought I was too young and I won’t go far, but as time went on, I learnt a lot and put those things I learnt to practice. I showed everybody that I can get to the finals. And I made it. So, I’m happy and grateful.
Ebere was the first to leave the stage among the top six and was given a consolation prize of five hundred Naira…
Tell us about your Project Fame experience.
I feel excited, I feel happy, honoured, because being here is not easy.
When do you consider your high point in the competition?
I will say when I sang my composition. It was natural, I didn’t struggle, it came from within and it was so beautiful. That’s one of the things I actually longed for, coming to Project Fame. So, when the time came, I was very calm about it.
Let’s know you more…
My name is Winner Ebere Eboh, from Delta State. I am the first child in a family of six. I just graduated from a nursing school and I want to further my education in the university.
Do you think you can manage your studies while pursuing a musical career?
It’s all about determination. It will require me being focused and not distracted.
Where do you see yourself in future?
I will say expect something great and the best from me.