As the journey to the finale in the ongoing music reality show, Nigerian Idol narrows, the Top 5 live show last Sunday, turned up the heat as the Top 5 dreamers broke out of their comfort zones, leaving one of the judges, Omawumi saying she felt for the voters, now that the competition has gone neck and neck.
 
With the night themed as Showstopper Live Show, and set to bring out the performers’ star power, the show proved, once again, why it remains the ultimate stage for discovering Nigeria’s next music sensation.
 
The night kicked off with a stunning performance of Ric Hassani’s Moving Train (Isokuso), accompanied by a vibrant dance ensemble that immediately set the tone. Host IK Osakioduwa, as always, kept the momentum going, while casually promising even bigger moments ahead.
   
In true ‘Idol’ fashion, the elimination segment was full of suspense. IK brought the show to a boiling point with a jaw-dropping moment that left everyone on the edge. In a surprising twist, he masterfully built suspense, putting Mikki and Lawrence’s fate in limbo and the crowd was on tenterhooks.
 
He teased the duo with the judges’ comments, and just when it seemed like elimination was inevitable for both, a stunning twist revealed they were safe, leaving fans exhaling in relief and still reeling from the shock.
 
Purp also made it through after some playful build-up. Raymu’s last performance had won hearts, and IK confirmed he was safe as well, which left Kristopher and Brammy in the bottom two.
  
Opening the night with a bang, Mikki delivered a performance full of soul, movement, and vocal power with Spirit by Beyoncé. His choreography was bold, and his voice carried conviction. Ric was deeply impressed that he said, “This song is called ‘Spirit,’ and we all felt your spirit, that was fantastic.”
 
With breathtaking vocal control and seamless choreography, Raymu turned Titanium by Sia into one of his strongest performances yet. His control and emotional delivery added layers to the song that resonated with the audience and got applauded by all four judges.
  
Performing Black or White by Michael Jackson, Lawrence embraced the legend’s energy with a thrilling stage performance. He sang, danced, and had the crowd completely engaged. The judges applauded his confidence and range.
  
As the last female standing in the competition, Purp performing Respect by Aretha Franklin channelled the Queen of Soul with power and poise. Her performance was theatrical and vocally strong, earning her rave reviews. Ric said: “This was absolutely flawless,” while Kaffy added: “I’m proud of you, Purp.”
 
Brammy performed Yeah 3x by Chris Brown. He brought the house down with an explosive, dance-packed performance. From acrobatic stunts to crisp vocals, he gave it his all and left the audience screaming. All four judges loved it and he proved once again why he’s still in the competition.
 
As the show ended, IK delivered heartfelt shoutouts to the judges for their invaluable feedback, Dr. Kaffy for her inspiring mentorship, and the Top 5 contestants for boldly pushing their limits and creating an unforgettable experience.
  
To wrap up the night, Kristopher returned to the stage for a farewell performance of Where Have You Been by Rihanna. It was bold, confident, and a strong reminder of his growth throughout the competition. The judges praised his artistry one final time, commending him for staying true to himself.