Project Fame: Hot Gets Hotter, As Contestants Go On Probation§

Few weeks after the new season of MTN Project Fame West Africa launched, the Academy is getting hot as usual, with all the contestants now placed on probation.

Decked out in monochrome outfits, the remaining 14 contestants opened the show with a medley of New Edition’s Can you stand the rain and Michael Jackson’s Human nature on Saturday. The group performance was a tribute to the victims of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa, and a special dedication to late Dr. Stella Adadevoh, and all Nigerians, who lost their lives in trying to curtail the spread of the virus, praying for the repose of their souls.

The battle to remain in the Academy then began as the contestants (Chike, Oluchi, Deinde, Tejiri, Richie, and Ruby), who had been placed on probation the previous week, stepped on the stage one after the other to perform again.

Tension began to mount after the performances, when the hosts welcomed a representative of Alexander Forbes consulting, who presented the envelope containing the name of the contestant with the highest viewers’ votes; Chike was saved by West Africa. The Faculty on the other hand saved Oluchi. It was then time for the contestants that were not on probation to save another contestant via their votes.

Interestingly, their votes ended in a tie, which was later broken by Chike when he was asked to save a contestant. He decided to choose Deinde.
At this point, Tejiri, Richie, and Ruby had to say their goodbyes. Their parting words were full of appreciation to the Faculty, Judges, and the platform as a whole.

However, each of them performed for the last time with Tejiri performing Kissing by Yemi Alade, Richie did Daniella whine by Patoranking, while Ruby performed Kiss Daniel’s Woju.

Following the evictions, the remaining eleven contestants were all set to dish out Naija hits for everyone’s listening pleasure. The entertainment started with Biko, who opened the night with No stars by Dare Art Alade. Next up was Oluchi, who delivered an impressive performance of Jamb question by Simi. Kumi also took her turn to sing Eyo by Asa, and Pearl serenaded the audience as she sang Awww by Di’ja.

Just as everyone was settling into the vibes of the night, Arewa got the audience roaring with excitement as she performed Ojuelegba by Wizkid. Chike charmingly came up right after to deliver Mr Oreo by Iyanya. In the spirit of fun and entertainment, Ada stepped up the stage and gave a beautiful delivery of Seyi Shay’s Ragga Ragga, before paving way for Jeff to sing Godwin by Korede Bello. Deinde then took his turn to entertain everyone with Jaiye Orimi by Banky W, while Joy sang German Juice by Cynthia Morgan. Anderson rounded off the night with his performance of U no holy pass by Tuface Idibia.

Having delivered interesting and energetic performances it was time for the Judges to release their verdict for the night. They started by commending the efforts the contestants put into their performances, acknowledging the good works the Faculty have been doing. But because it is a competition to induct extraordinary artistes, they decided to put all of the eleven contestants on probation to bring out the best out of them.