Entertainment/Arts/Culture
10,000 entries received for Nigerian Idol, Season 7- Official
The producers of Nigerian Idol, Multichoice Nigeria and Africa Magic, have revealed that they received about 10,000 entries when they opened for auditions for the seventh season.
Dr Busola Tejumola, Executive Head, Content and West Africa Channels, Multichoice Nigeria, in a statement on Saturday said that it was the most entries they had ever received for the show.
Tejumola said that Nigerian Idol had proven to be a coveted springboard for aspiring musicians in its past seasons.
“So, the number of people trying to get on the show is not surprising.
“However, it is interesting to note that about 10 out of the 10,000 people that applied will make it to the live shows.
“Perhaps even more exciting is the fact that there will be only one winner who will take home all the prizes,” she said.
On the audition process, Tejumola said: “For this season, we held auditions online, and for the first time after a long time, we also had physical auditions.
“This year, we had a hybrid just to give more hopefuls of the Nigerian Idol format a chance to enter and get a shot at fame.
“We had a record number of almost 10,000 entries, an increase from last season.”
She said the three-month-long music reality show would follow talented musicians through rigorous training to create the next Nigerian music superstar.
“They will be judged by award-winning artiste, Oladapo Oyebanjo ‘D’banj’; singer-songwriter, Simisola ‘Simi’ Kosoko; and creative industry entrepreneur, Obi Asika.
“IK Osakioduwa will return as the host of the show, the winner for this season will walk away with N100 million worth of prizes,” she said.
According to her, following the completion of the online and physical auditions last November, the countdown is officially on for the seventh season of the show, which premieres on Feb. 6.
Tejumola said that the show would be aired on Africa Magic Urban, Showcase and Family from 7 p.m.
“There will also be a non-stop bonus content on DStv ch 197 and GOtv ch 29.
“The live shows will start airing on March 20,” she said.
The headline sponsor of Nigerian Idol season 7 is Bigi drinks, and the co-headline sponsor is Binance.(NAN)
Entertainment/Arts/Culture
Veekee James Opens up on Childhood Financial Survival, Family Loss
Nigerian fashion designer Veekee James, has spoken up on some of the experiences that shaped her childhood, revealing that she began hustling at a very young age.
The entrepreneur, while speaking in an interview, disclosed that she lost her father before she was five and at a point when her mother was pregnant with her youngest sibling.
While recalling her childhood, Veekee stated that her family was forced to rely on the support of relatives.She also noted that the death of her father made her learn to fend for herself at a very young age.
“Growing up, I had to hustle a lot.
My dad died before I was five. In fact, my mum was still pregnant with our last born when my dad died. So, you know, from five years old with no dad. Thank God for my dad’s brothers because they helped us, you know, at least through school. They tried their best. I have been like a hustler since primary school. E no get wetin I dey tell you I no do. I’m not sure if we can get any handwork for this world… well, some sha, like all those carpenter works and the rest. In fact, I even followed that one because there was a time I used to make kolo for saving money,” she said.Veekee explained that while in primary school, she learnt to render beauty services to her classmates in order to make some money to support herself and her family. She added that despite their difficult circumstances, she refused to be limited by her background.
She added, “I used to make knitted outfits like caps and blouses. I was good in Ajegunle. From there, I started to sell things, started to do hair. I was making hair like all my classmates in primary school every weekend after school. Even as I dey make hair, I still dey knit. I still dey sew clothes for people.”
Entertainment/Arts/Culture
Women Have No Business Getting Married in Their 20s – Toke Makinwa
Media personality and actress, Toke Makinwa, has claimed that it is not ideal for women to get married in their 20s.
According to her, most women are still discovering themselves in their 20s and don’t even know how to make better decisions yet.
Speaking in a recent episode of her podcast Toke Moment with guest, reality star Tacha, Makinwa claimed that most of the women who got married in their 20s end up regretting it.
“Women have no business getting married in their 20s… You don’t even know yourself yet. Those who did are regretting it now. Even those who are still married, if they are being honest, they will tell you that they shouldn’t have rushed it,” she said.
Her guest on the show Tacha added, “My mum says marriage is like an institution. Those inside want to get out, those outside can’t wait to get in.”
Entertainment/Arts/Culture
Cardi B Breaks Silence on Rumours Linking Her with Okoye
American rapper Cardi B has reacted to growing speculation surrounding her friendship with Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, following recent public appearances that sparked dating rumours.
The Grammy-winning artiste, who was recently spotted having dinner with Okoye and a group of friends at Gio’s Restaurant inside the St.
Regis Hotel in Venice, expressed frustration over what she described as constant public scrutiny of her personal life.Speaking in a video circulating online, Cardi B said she believes her activities attract disproportionate attention compared to those of other celebrities.
According to her, ordinary aspects of her life often become subjects of public debate, while similar situations involving other public figures receive little attention.
“No cap, I’m really hip hop’s Britney Spears. I got all the tea on these celebrities. I know who’s with who and what’s doing what. But guess what? Nobody reports about it because nobody cares.
“But when it comes to me, I can’t even do anything without people talking about it. This is crazy. You’ve got to take the good with the bad. It is what it is. People pay for this type of talk,” she said.
Cardi B’s comments come amid increasing speculation about the nature of her relationship with Okoye after the pair were seen together on multiple occasions, including during Paris Fashion Week and a recent outing in Venice.
Neither Cardi B nor Okoye has publicly confirmed any romantic relationship, despite the growing buzz on social media.


