Some Nigerian celebrities gained recognition using their parents’ financial strength, while many others, who were not so lucky to be born in rich families, attended auditions and finally battled it out with fellow contestants at reality shows before realising their dreams.
Check out the list of TOP-5 celebrities, who made their way to superstar status through reality shows.
1. Iyanya
The winner of the 2008 MTN Project Fame reality show is currently one of the hottest and most sought after musician in Nigeria. Iyanya bounced to stardom after the failure of his debut album with the release of monster hit ‘Kukere’. He would later release hit singles like, ‘Your waist’ and ‘Flavour’ before dropping a second album, Iyanya vs Desire, which became a success.
Iyanya who is the co-founder of his record label, Made Men Music, alongside his manager and business partner, Ubi Franklin, recently signed Abuja-based budding singer, Teckno.
2. Omawumi Megbele
This graduate of Law from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, did not win the first edition of West African Idol as she came second, but the mother of one returned to the studio after the show and released her first single ‘In The Music’, which became an instant anthem among Nigerians.
Omawumi became popular and was embraced as a brand ambassador by Globacom, Konga and Mortein. She also won the “Next Rated Act” award of the Headies and released her debut album ‘Wonder Woman’ in 2010. She returned to the scene in 2012 with a hit ‘Bottom Belle’ featuring afro-highlife act, Flavour, before treating her fans to her second studio album ‘The Lasso Of Truth’ in 2013.
3. O.C. Ukeje
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, HoodRush, Black November amongst others.
He was also on the repertory team that showcased three stage plays for the Nigeria House at the London Cultural Olympiad (2012).
4. Dare Art-Alade ‘Darey’
Darey 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, a renowned reality TV show and emerged third in the contest. The award-winning musician and song writer is the son of iconic Nigerian entertainer, Art Alade.
Darey isn’t just 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.
Darey’s real music journey started in 2006/2007 as his debut album ‘From Me 2 U’ which was laced with several hit singles, including ‘Fuji’ and ‘Escalade’ hit the Nigerian market under Storm Records. He returned to the studio, producing a highly anticipated follow-up album entitled ‘unDAREYted’. The album sold over 150,000 copies across Nigeria in its first two months of release.
The Soul Musik label executive would later cook a third album ‘Double Dare’ in 2010. He currently has female singer Zaina and R&B artiste MoEazy signed to his label while also organizing his own special valentine event, ‘Love Like A Movie’ in 2013 that featured American reality TV star, Kim Kardashian.
5. Uti Nwachukwu
7. Timi Dakolo
Uni 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.He was evicted from the house on the 5th October 2008, spending only 42 days. He returned to the house in 2010 as a contestant in Big Brother Africa 5: All-Stars in which he lasted 91 days and ultimately won by defeating Munya with a final vote of 8 to 7.
Uti has since become a celebrity as he co-hosts the popular African Magic program, Jara while becoming a major event host across all sectors in Nigeria.
6. Chidinma
Chidinma EKILE is of eastern Nigerian 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 very tender age of ten. She attended primary and secondary schools in Ketu Lagos before the family relocated to Ikorodu.
In 2009, she discovered MTN Project Fame West Africa music reality TV show on television and followed the maiden edition keenly from the television in her living room, wishing to be part of the huge show someday.
Her dreams began to take shape when a close friend of hers encouraged her to go for the Lagos auditions of the third edition of Project Fame. She caught a bus from Ikorodu to ULTIMA Studios, the audition venue and joined the long queue of over 8,000 contestants, with only four hundred naira in her pocket. All she had was Belief.
Chidinma was short listed amongst the last eighteen contestants to go into the Fame academy. For the next ten weeks, she lived under strict tutelage from the Faculty comprising voice coaches, choreography, inspirational visits and sessions with established musicians and music business service providers, tough rehearsal drills etc.
The Kora award winner was born in the late 80’s and is a business promoter and student in Lagos. She loves singing and listening to the radio. On September 26, 2011 Chidinma won the third edition of Project Fame West Africa, alongside the hearts of millions of Nigerians who grew to love the petite and endearing twenty one year old girl.
In 2009, she discovered MTN Project Fame West Africa music reality TV show on television and followed the maiden edition keenly from the television in her living room, wishing to be part of the huge show someday.
Her dreams began to take shape when a close friend of hers encouraged her to go for the Lagos auditions of the third edition of Project Fame. She caught a bus from Ikorodu to ULTIMA Studios, the audition venue and joined the long queue of over 8,000 contestants, with only four hundred naira in her pocket. All she had was Belief.
Chidinma was short listed amongst the last eighteen contestants to go into the Fame academy. For the next ten weeks, she lived under strict tutelage from the Faculty comprising voice coaches, choreography, inspirational visits and sessions with established musicians and music business service providers, tough rehearsal drills etc.
The Kora award winner was born in the late 80’s and is a business promoter and student in Lagos. She loves singing and listening to the radio. On September 26, 2011 Chidinma won the third edition of Project Fame West Africa, alongside the hearts of millions of Nigerians who grew to love the petite and endearing twenty one year old girl.
Her first single is titled JANKOLIKO! and features Nigerian music veteran Sound Sultan. The video was directed by award winning cinematographer Clarence Peters.Her musical influences include Alicia Keys, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Fela Kuti, Omawunmi, Onyeka Onwenu, Bob Marley, Lagbaja, and Dare Art Alade. etc. Her style is predominantly afrocentric pop music, with a lot of “Nigerianness” to it, clearly evident in her song writing and thematic range.
7. Timi Dakolo
Timi Dakolo (born in Ghana on January 20, 1981) is a Nigerian singer. Although he was born in Ghana, to a Nigerian father, Bayelsa-native David and a Ghanaian mother, Norah, who died when Dakolo was thirteen. Dakolo however does not claim dual citizenship and holds a Nigerian passport. He is the winner of the first season of Idols West Africa. He was declared the winner on May 26, 2007 at the home of Idols, Planet One. The show was televised the next day. He beat out runner-up, Omawumi Megbele getting 63% of the votes. With his victory, he took home many prizes including a recording contract with Sony BMG.After winning Idol West Africa in 2007, on January 1, 2008, on 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. The attack was a random act of violence by a faction of Niger Delta militants and did not target Timi. Although a hotel security guard was murdered in the attack, Timi escaped with a flesh wound, was rushed to the hospital, treated and discharged on the same day.
Timi Dakolo released his first single comprising three songs in October 2009.In 2011, he released the song “There’s a Cry”. The music video was filmed in Nigeria. He is currently signed with Lone Records/Now Muzik.
Timi Dakolo released his first single comprising three songs in October 2009.In 2011, he released the song “There’s a Cry”. The music video was filmed in Nigeria. He is currently signed with Lone Records/Now Muzik.