The last wild card left the competition at last Thursday’s result show!
“I’m not sad I am leaving, I am really happy for the exposure I got in this competition, I want to thank the judges for bringing me back out of the thousands that left the competition. I love you all, my fellow contestants and those working behind the scene to make Nigerian Idol a success” were Tonii’s last words on stage
After an interesting twist last Thursday, Anis told the audience, with a sober expression on his face, that fan-favourite Tonii and Abuja-based George would be leaving. You will recall that Tonii was one of the contestants the judges brought back during the wild card episode. George, 25 is a hotelier at Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja.
The two contestants who recorded the two lowest votes after last Sunday’s performance left the Etisalat sponsored show after performing for the last time on the Idol stage. George performed “knowing me, knowing you” by ABBA. Tonii performed “Lay all your love on me” also by ABBA
It was ABBA week on the show, with finalists performing different tracks from a vast ABBA repertoire.
Toni is one of the lucky three who got called back during the Wild Card episode of the show. Apart from being a singer, she plays the piano and writes her own songs. Her mature vocals and stirring interpretations has endured her to the judges especially Audu Maikori who has been her champion and the speculated author of her comeback to the show.
George’s interest in music started from when he was a child. He learnt to play the piano at the age of nine and it has since become his passion. As a youth, he joined his choir and from there decided to go into music professionally based on encouraging comments he got from people who enjoyed his singing. However, in spite of his love for music, he went on to study Environmental Management and Geography at the university based on pressure from his family; a decision he does not regret as, according to him, school gave him a lot of exposure.
So far, Six finalists have now been evicted, as it continues to show to viewers and the remaining contestants that Nigerian Idol is like a jungle and only those with the highest votes will survive. Ola, Nina, AJ, Chito, Tonii and George are out of the competition, leaving seven finalists to battle for the grand prize of 7.5 million Naira, a car and a record deal with Sony BMG. The biggest prize of course, is an opportunity to become an international music star, and a proud ambassador of Nigerian music. The winner of Nigerian Idol will immediately go on to establish a recording and performing career, both locally – working with Nigerian labels and allied professionals- and internationally, through a guaranteed Sony BMG deal.
Nigerian Idol is sponsored by Etisalat, in Association with Sony and Pepsi. Nigerian Idol Partners are Royal Exchange and Tom-tom with Support from MUD, SAA,
Starwood Hotel and Cool FM. The winner will finally emerge on March 27, 2011 at a star studded grand finale.
