How Celebrities Evolve Through Reality Shows

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The concept of reality shows is one of the ideologies currently making waves in the entertainment industry in Nigeria. ADERIBIGBE TOLULOPE analyses some Nigerian celebrities who gained recognition using their parents influence, while many others battled it out in shows like the Maltina Danceall, Big Brother Nigeria, Gulder Ultimate Search, MTN Project Fame and so on

Some of the prominent winners of the reality shows made it into the limelight were they are making waves today. They include:

Timi

Timi Dakolo (born in Ghana on January 20, 1981) is a Nigerian singer and song writer. He is the winner of the first season of Idols West Africa (2007) who beat runner-up, Omawumi Megbele getting 63 per cent of the votes to clinch the ultimate price

With his victory, he took home many prizes including a recording contract with Sony BMG.

On January 1, 2008 (New Years Day), Timi Dakolo was shot at the lobby of the Presidential Hotel in Port Harcourt. He had gone to the hotel to attend a church service in the company of his friends. Timi Dakolo released his first single comprising three songs in October 2009. In 2011, he released the song Theres a Cry,Heaven Please from his ablum, Beautiful Noise and Iyawo Mi in 2014. He has earned international recognition due to his songs genre.

Iyanya

Iyanya Onoyom Mbuk (born October 31, 1986), is a singer, songwriter, and performer best known for winning the 2008 MTN Project Fame West Africa as well as for his song Kukere. He is the co-owner of Made Men Music Group, a record label home to artists such as Emma Nyra, Tekno, Selebobo and Baci. Iyanya sings in English and Efik. He released his debut studio album, My Story, in 2011. It was supported by the singles No Time and Love Truly. Iyanya vs. Desire, his second studio album, contained the singles Kukere, Ur Waist, Flavour, Sexy Mama, and Jombolo. He won the Artist of the Year award at the 2013 The Headies.

Tonto

Tonto Charity Dikeh, also known as Tonto Dike (born June 9, 1985) is a Nigerian actress and singer from Rivers State. Dikeh, is from a family of seven.

In 2005 she competed in a reality TV show called The Next Movie Star; she was the first runner up. Then she ventured into Nigerian movie industry with several movies like Pounds and Dollars, Blackberry Babes Re-loaded, Battle of Queens and Throne of War to her credit. After acting several movies, Tonto decided to try her hands in music and she debuted by releasing a singles Hi and Itz Ova ft Snypa. On June 13, 2014, Pop star Dbanj, unveiled Tonto under the artistes with his record label DB Records.

O.C

O.C. Ukeje was born on July 15, 1981. He is arguably the biggest Nigerian actor to have emerged from a reality TV show. O.C. Ukeje began his career in acting from his first year at the University of Lagos, where he played a lead role in a stage play. He was a stage actor for four years before attempting and winning the reality TV show for actors, Amstel Malta Box Office (AMBO).

He began a full career with a merger of stage and screen performances. His first screen appearance was in White Waters in 2008 alongside star actresses Joke Silva and Rita Dominic. O.C Ukeje has since become a seasoned actor with appearances in movies like Comrade, Confusion Na Wa, Half of a Yellow Sun, Black November amongst others.

Uti

Uti Nwachukwu was born on August 3, 1982. He is one celebrity who has participated in multiple reality TV shows.

He first participated at the celebrated Next Movie Star before contesting at the highly watched Big Brother Africa reality TV show in 2008. Uti has since become a celebrity as he co-hosts the popular African Magic programme, Jara and becoming a major events host across all sectors in Nigeria.

Omawumi

Omawumi Megbele (born April 13, 1982) is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and actress. She gained attention as the 2007 runner-up on West African Idols, her sophomore album, The Lasso of Truth, was reported to be a commercial success in Nigeria. With her singles like If U Ask Me, Megeble have made serious waves through the media.

She graduated from Ambrose Ali University with a Law degree. Omawumi started her acting career when she played a minor role in the 2009 edition of the V-Monologues, a play that reflects the negative issues affecting women in Nigeria. She also starred in the musical play Olurombi. She had a minor role in the movie Inale. In 2011, she starred in Return of Jenifa, then House of Gold (2013).

Darey:

Dare (pronounced Da-Ray) Art Alade was born in Lagos. He is probably the first Nigerian celebrity to rise to fame on the back of a reality TV show after he participated at the 2004 edition of Project Fame Academy and emerged third in the contest. The award-winning musician and song writer is the son of iconic Nigerian entertainer, Art Alade.

Dareys career is not just limited to being a musician; he has over the past decade been a disc jockey, TV presenter, entertainment consultant, voice-over artiste and performing/recording artist and event host.

Amarachi

Amarachi Uyanne was born on July 17, 2004. She won the 1st edition of Nigerias Got Talent due to her extraordinary dance skills.

She took a dive into the music industry with her 1st single Amarachis Dance and Get Down has put her name on the lips of several people.

Chidimma

Chidimma Ekile is of eastern Nigeria Descent and the fifth out of six siblings.

She grew up under strict Christian parents and became very involved in the church choir from a tender age of ten. She attended primary and secondary schools in Ketu,Lagos.

In 2009, she discovered MTN Project Fame West Africa music reality TV show on television. Then a close friend encouraged her to go for the Lagos auditions of the third edition on September 26, 2011.

Her first single is titled Jankoliko! and features Nigerian music veteran Sound Sultan. Her consistency has continued with songs like Emi Ni Baller, Oh Baby among others.

An entertainment writer and critic, Anthony Ada Abraham said most prominent reality show organisers failure to follow up on success pursuits of the artistes they produce is the real reason some of the discovered talents disappear into the thin air.