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Kenya: Tusker Project Fame - Housemates Uncovered
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The East African Standard (Nairobi)
18 April 2008
Posted to the web 17 April 2008
Nairobi
The Tusker Project Fame (TPF2) housemates have now been unveiled, starting in earnest the dramatic battle of talent and intrigue that will eventually provide East Africa with a new music star who will also inevitably join the millionaires' club. Stevens Muendo attended the TPF2 gala event and talked with the 15 housemates.
For beautiful 21-year-old Wendy Kimani, her lowest moment in life were the first few hours before joining the TPF2 academy. The confident singer needed a 30-second performance to save her from elimination by the judges last Sunday. Standing in front of hundreds of jubilant fans at the gala night, her soulful vocals eventually warmed the chilly evening as fans sang along.
But Ugandan representative Arthur Kiwala, Valentino Mwakasoke (Tanzania) and Irene Karanja (Kenya) were not as lucky. The judges sent them packing even before they set foot in the academy house. A clumsy Valentino missed his lines while Irene struck the wrong chords. And Arthur, the Ugandan TV presenter, simply got everything wrong and the unsympathetic crowd waved him goodbye.
The other 15 contestants made it through to the academy in jubilation while it was all tears for Irene and Valentino. On his part, Arthur battled to keep himself calm and collected despite the setback. Sadly, their dream of making it into stardom had waned even before it began. Indeed, their celebrity status had lasted a mere 90 minutes.
The much-awaited TPF2 kicked off with great anxiety last Sunday as nervous contestants were unveiled before millions of TV viewers from all over East Africa. There were many goofs during the show which was broadcast live, with the hosts Gaetano Kagwa and Sheila Mwanyigah occasionally failing to get their cue right. The two joked and laughed off their mistakes before a rather unsuspecting crowd.
The teachers, among them Victor Seii and Achieng' Abura, looked on patiently. It was a day that set off the showbiz drama expected in the coming 10 weeks, when East Africans will be picking their next superstar.
The optimistic Tanzanian contestants are led by 21-year-old Hemed Seif Suleiman, who is already popular among female fans due to his resemblance to US musician, Usher Raymond. "I like Usher. I dress like him and everywhere I go people expect me to behave, sing and talk like the American star," he says. But sorry girls, Hemed says he is already in a serious relationship and he "can't do without my girlfriend".
Asha Mashauri, 24, the other favourite Tanzania contestant, could also dampen the enthusiasm of some of her male fans. When asked whether she was single and searching, she told Pulse that her son and boyfriend are the two most important things she would never give up in life.
In the not-so-impressive list of Tanzanian competitors is a 34-year-old tall, bearded Ian Mwaisunga, a family man and father of one. His other colleague, 22-year old round-faced Feri Kano, says he is also hooked up, a confession repeated by Linah Blanche who further says that her boyfriend is her most precious "asset".
However, Uganda's group of five is threatening to give Kenyans a run for their money. Their confidence, which was evident on the gala night, says it all. Esther Nabaasa, the be-spectacled 21-year-old Makerere University student and poet moved fans with the sweet renditions of an old classic, instantly earning her place as a favourite contestant for the Sh5 million prize money. "I'm here to win the contest," she declared.
The other Ugandan contestants are tomboy Naava Asha, who is single and not searching, 22-year-old Stephen Oundo, businessman Nsaali Jacob, 27, and Winfrey Nannyonjo.
The Kenyans also provide an interesting mix. Although he denies it, 23-year-old David Ogola (aka G Major) smacks of indecision, even as he remains one of the top contenders in the reality TV show. The Nairobian, known for his previous performances with the popular Velvet Band, may be a force to reckon with among the other four Kenyans who maintain that they are the favourites among the three countries.
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"I want to win the Sh5 million and establish my own media house," says a jovial Wendy Kimani, 21, who claims she is "very single".
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| Copyright © 2008 The East African Standard. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections -- or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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