Intense, Emotional, Heartbreaking As Mira Clear Bid Goodbye
As the music reality competition, Nigerian Idol, draws its curtain on Sunday, and the ultimate winner, the new ‘Idol’ announced, Lammy, Chima and Chioma have emerged the last three contestants standing. The three have upped been the best performers from the audition stages to wooden mic, theatre week and live shows.
From the twist that came as a result of the judges’ choice performances to the top four pushing the boundaries of their sounds, the show was a spectacle to watch. The evening began with contestants selecting songs from a list provided by the judges. Host IK Osakioduwa revealed an exciting twist: the judge whose song choices were picked the most would win a special prize. Judges Omawumi, Ric Hassani, and 9ice were all eager for the chance to come out on top.
The night’s live performances began with Chioma going up first on the stage. She impressed everyone with her rendition of J’odie’s Kuchi Kuchi, a song chosen by Ric Hassani. Her performance was so good that the judges couldn’t help but dance. “J’odie would be proud of what you did with her song,” Omawumi remarked.
Up next was Lammy, who delivered an outstanding performance of 2Baba’s evergreen hit, African Queen, a song selected by 9ice. His stage presence and connection with the audience were remarkable, just as the performance was dubbed his best performance yet! And in Omawumi’s words, “he made the song his own.”
Delivering Omawumi’s If You Ask Me, a song chosen by Omawumi herself, Mira Clear delivered a powerful performance. Her strong voice and animated expressions were a highlight of the night, leaving Omawumi so impressed.
Chima told all who cares and has been following the competition that he has come this far on show and not ready to throw away the ultimate prize of being the next Idol with his performance of Darey Art Alade’s Not The Girl, selected by Ric Hassani.
His smooth R&B/Soul performance left everyone, including the judges, in awe. It was R&B/Soul perfection as Chima made the song his own, sitting suavely on stage commanding the ears of everyone listening, and having the judges sit and stand in astonishment.
As the show progressed, it came time for the eviction. IK had previously mentioned that the week would be a double elimination, which heightened the tension in the room.
The audience, contestants, and their families, who were brought on stage, waited with bated breath for the results. It was also revealed that Ric Hassani, as the winning judge, had the power to save one of the bottom two contestants or let both be eliminated.
After a staggering 40 million votes, IK announced that Chima and Lammy had made it through to the grand finale. This left Mira Clear and Chioma in the bottom two, with one of them potentially going home. Ric Hassani, faced with the tough decision of saving one or letting both go, ultimately chose to save Chioma, resulting in Mira Clear’s departure.
The second round of performances showcased the top three contestants in their final efforts to secure votes ahead of Sunday’s grand finale. The incredible 121Selah, a dynamic Nigerian vocal ensemble that merges Christian faith with captivating music and storytelling, lent their voices to harmonise with the top three, adding an extra layer of their attractive combination of energy and style to their performances.
Chima opened the round with a soulful rendition of Stevie Wonder’s As, captivating the audience with his smooth vocals. Lammy followed, delivering a powerful performance of Leonard Cohen Hallelujah, which earned him a standing ovation.
Chioma’s performance highlighted the impact of Ric Hassani’s save on her competition journey, elevating her to a formidable top three contender. Her rendition of Jennifer Hudson’s One Night Only impressed 9ice, who praised her interpretation and the contrast she brought to the song.
The night concluded with 121Selah performing their original single Let Me In, before joining Mira Clear for her final performance on the Idol stage as she performed Next To Me by Emeli Sandé.
Meanwhile, Bigi soft drinks, a stable from Rites Food Limited, the headline sponsor of the music reality contest during the week took a heartfelt approach by inviting the contestants’ parents and loved ones to share in the celebration in a dinner, creating an intimate and memorable evening.
Adding to the excitement, past contestants from the last two seasons made surprise appearances, elevating the event to new heights. Special guests included Progress Chukwuyem, the winner of Season 7; Victory Gbakara, the winner of Season 8; and other notable contestants such as Precious Mac and Ose Daniel.
Expressing gratitude for their presence, Brand Manager of Bigi, Biola Aransiola, welcomed the contestants and their families, highlighted the dinner as Bigi’s way of giving back to the contestants, acknowledging their contributions to the show and the brand.
“This dinner is our way of giving back to you because you have given so much to the people”, she said.”
Urging the contestants to remain dedicated and proactive in their careers, Chukwuyem said, “Keep putting in the extra work after the show and be very intentional about your craft. Go after what you want and don’t wait for anyone to give it to you. Nigerian Idol makes you famous, not successful.”
Emphasising the importance of leveraging the platform and popularity gained from Nigerian Idol, Gbakara encouraged the contestants to continue showcasing their talents beyond the show.
Precious Mac, who emerged the runner-up of Season 8, congratulated the contestants on their achievements and encouraged them to persevere in their musical journeys. “Don’t give up, you have come this far, and the journey ahead is just as exciting,” she said.
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