Episode three of Nigerian Idol season 8 was an exciting two-part show. The audition week leading to the theatre week ended with 136 golden tickets. A lawyer, a poet, a model, and a tv producer were among the last eight to gain entry into the theatre week. They all flashed and posed with their tickets after scaling the first huddle, hoping for the best in the journey ahead. None of them anticipated what would happen later.  

The real challenge of the theatre week began with the 136 contestants. The first task was to learn a new song, master the lyrics within a few hours, and deliver a performance good enough for the judges. The contestants appeared ready for the challenge, but not all could cope with the pressure. The judges were no longer smiling at this stage. If a contestant has what it takes to be the next Nigerian Idol, it’s time to show it, there is no second chance.

Unfortunately, the first set of performers at the theatre week could not hold their nerves. Some totally forget their lyrics, while others put in a below-par performance. Tade was the first to hit the stage, and to the shock of the viewers and judges, she just couldn’t sing at all. She was visibly nervous and could not mutter a word. She finally voiced out and said, “I can’t”.

She was followed by Elizabeth, Benriff, Royal, Savvy TG, David Garland, Pheelemilo, Esty, and others who equally succumbed to the mounting pressure. At this point, some viewers must have wondered if any of the contestants would be able to rise up to the challenge.

Then came some of the contestants with the nerve of steel. Victory, the Lawyer, was the last to receive the golden ticket and was the first to make it into the duet stage. Victory paved the way for 60 other contestants who made it into the duet stage of the show, while 76 others were evicted.

With ten weeks left on the show, the 60 contestants have been paired for the duet stage and assigned a song they are to perform. A lifetime opportunity on the ‘live show’ awaits the best set of performers.

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