Tusker Project Fame: Housemates uncovered
Posted by africanpress on April 22, 2008
Publisher: Korir, api, africanpress@getmail.no source.standard.ke
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 “canâ’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.
“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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African Press International - api
May 9, 2008 at 7:43 pm
The kenyans contestants should not be guaranteed that they will they should instead work extra hard since Ugandans are fine its up to our kenyan contestants ALL THE BEST
May 9, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Wendy is a young talented lady who should concentrate on the career than wasting her time with someone like Hemedi pliz Lady get serious and you will get somewhere
May 15, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Ugandans should work hard especially Winfrey; let her not choose songs for dancing “nagalariously” concentrate on the career than wasting time on dancing and pulling up your dresses infront of people that is not Ugandan Culture; that makes you loose some marks my dear. Male contestants (Uganda) please work extra-extra hard you will will- for God’s wishes. I wish you the best Ugandans
May 15, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Hemedi; stop fooling everybody (ladies)because whoever you are benching ends up leaving the academy; even that Wendy will leave because of you; she was concentrating before your involvement in …. but now its……
Its good you are not branching to Ugandans(Hemedi)- Pliz Ugandans dont accept his foolish words - you know what men are after and “Tit for Tat is a fair play” (Akufumbira eyomutwe omufumbira yabigere - Gaetano you can explain that to Ugandan Ladies)
May 15, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Ugandans should work hard especially Winfrey; let her not choose songs for dancing “nagalariously” concentrate on the career than wasting time on dancing and pulling up your dresses infront of people that is not Ugandan Culture; that makes you loose some marks my dear. Male contestants (Uganda) please work extra-extra hard you will win- for God’s wishes. I wish you the best Ugandans
May 15, 2008 at 3:41 pm
that dog of a guy hemedi plain simply sucks! can some 1 plz remind him wot is needed on tpf talent not drama! this is a reality tv show for talent search not a tv drama series like th oc. dude get the talent or get the f*** out!
May 20, 2008 at 6:44 pm
to my knowlegde the so called “tusker project fame” is for EAST AFRICA n not KENYA ONLY…coz wats happenin now on the nominations is that all tz’s should be out. there was no justice on the people put on probation this week at all thanx to the teachers they were fair enough to comment on this as well…lets watch n c to the end.
May 23, 2008 at 5:29 pm
I enjoy watching TPF its a game. whatever characters one display to me it doesnt matter, better act real than pretending. Look at the performance of the person that is why he/she is there.
May 23, 2008 at 8:26 pm
man jacob kikole u are good since campus times at bugema
May 27, 2008 at 11:29 pm
hi guys,
u really entertain me ie Davy Vicky & Hemedy.U hv the potential;keep it up.
June 4, 2008 at 12:22 am
I enjoy TPF so much but am so dissapointed the best guys are leaving the academy why? I am a Kenyan but can you really compare Jacob and Lyna really? What about Magdalene and Hemedi? Sincerely Judges let’s be honest. Dont allow the students to vote. Let the crowd choose the first two students pleeeeeeeeeeeese!
June 4, 2008 at 6:35 pm
hi i realy loved TPF until they evicted Jacob who was making the academy look like a serious competition place.The judges should take over the voting coz we are looking for potential not the money and that is what the students are now racing for.
We will loose the the chance of giving an east african the opportunity of furthering his or her carrer in music.And trust you me if Esther were to go on probation and had voted by the students against another she will go home and we all agree there is potential to be tapped in her.Please change the voting method.
June 4, 2008 at 9:49 pm
You can not compare Jacob with (hemedi and linah) sincerely judges you are not fair. Do not allow students to vote coz if they hate you; obviously you are out as they did to JN
Pliz let the crowd vote two then teachers and the judges but never students. U’ll end up not getting a star but a ……
June 5, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Pls, I don’t understand why judges can allow students to vote, someone who had all potential like Jacob is now gone, there no justice there, how can Linah and Hemendi who loses all the tune be still surviving in the academy, while the best singers have gone home?
June 6, 2008 at 1:11 am
esther you are beautiful
June 6, 2008 at 5:40 pm
It is time for Linah and Hemedi to go home. Jacob was a man full of talent and his eviction was not fair. How did you expect students to save him and he was such a threat to them? I feel students should not be allowed to vote at all. I hope you are looking for talent and u should not let substance contestants go home. I know if Esther is ever put on probation, that will be the end of her. She really has something to offer and she is a threat as well to the other housemates. Can the judges vote instead of the students?
June 6, 2008 at 10:28 pm
You guys are not serious! Hemedi stays in the academy and Jacob a guy who managed controlling his voice goes home?
Jacob was the star in the academy otherwise let lyna and Hemedi go
June 6, 2008 at 11:33 pm
you all suck step up or stay down.the judges are just as messed up!!!!!
June 7, 2008 at 6:48 pm
It looks like we all agree Linnah and Hemedi need to go home today!!!!
Pleae, please guys act fairly. Give the most votes to David and the rest will be at the hands of the teachers and students. I mean, is David gets the msot votes, then the teachers will have no choice but to vote for ‘inspector felly’. So, who do u think the students will vot for? i wonder and remains to be seen! ha
June 7, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Sue,
what’s eating you? It sure is something big(or really gigantic)
June 9, 2008 at 11:02 pm
Great job to the tusker project fame principle en teachers for making superstars.
Its a great joke for Lina to leave most of her life in the house on probation, ever no change in what she does send her home then.
let those who have the superstar blood in them continue brightening.
Tusker project fame is the first capturing ‘African real tv show’Keep it up, I love en enjoy it.
June 10, 2008 at 7:02 am
Am a kenyan citizen by birth. we are loosing talented and capable contestants and making their lifes very miserable, some of them music is their life ,music is their bread. Am very disappointed becoz of the methods you use while voting becoz Jacob and Felly were voted out simply because their fellow students fear stif competition from them.can i call it jeolousy or hatred,imagine almost the whole crowd was shouting felly.. felly.. felly… unfortunately he went home simply becoz his fellow contestants didn,t realise his good performance but were afriad to be defeated by him.same to jacob he has never been on probation but the very moment, he was voted out, pliz let the judges and teachers vote,not even the crowd,
June 10, 2008 at 7:16 am
kenyans should stop favourism and tribalism,i was very disappointed why they voted for victor and he did,nt even sang to judges, teachers and wananchi,s satisfactory,even Ian commented against him.but the crowd voted for a kenyan and not the talent someone possesses ,can you compare victor and felly? according to me in last weekend,s tpf i wish they could vote for felly .he sang perfectly well than victor.be mindfull of others.remember do unto others what you expect them to do unto you.you will find yourself contesting from another country and you will face the music. let us be faithfull
June 10, 2008 at 7:27 am
am a kenyan citizen,are kenyans the only talented contestants in tpf2 in east africa?imagine all tanzanians home and only two ugandan remaining and rest are kenyans,judges and teachers be mindfull how comes victor and wendy are still in the academy and felly and jacob were evicted and they are more talented more than these two kenyans.this is not logical dont be cheated by the methods you use focuss fully on somebody,s talent
June 11, 2008 at 12:59 am
Wat u did its not there its the judges to decide who will win but not the viewers ma view i humbly request u to continue with the eviction instead of leaving it to the viewers.
June 11, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Judges,
I’ve been enjoying TPF but am begining to lose interest and confidence in the whole project. I wonder why you think that us (the viewers) are the best judges than you who are paid to carry out the task of choosing the best candidate who will represent E.Africa and shine out there. Last Sunday you decided that viewers shd choose the best person. Believe you me, each country will vote its candidates yet we are all looking for the best person to represent E.Africa and not someone who’ll go and be thrown out even on his/her first trial. I recommend you take on the responsibility of choosing the best singer. Can you imagine that Jacob who you (the judges) had been recommending all his time in the house was thrown out even before Hemedi and Felly who is so talented was leaving? E.Africa is about to ashame you the judges and those ‘teachers’ Think twice
June 12, 2008 at 12:04 am
I really dont feel the way David sings,my choice is Esther,you rock our world,i mean you’ve got a voice,you’ve got the curves and you are drop dead hoooootttttt.Marry me Esther.
June 12, 2008 at 11:49 pm
I thinnk the idea of the person getting most votes being the winner is not good.Viewer’s votes are biased.These votes will get to the person who least deserves.Judgess do your job and do it right.That’s why you are there.By now Easter potrays great potential(my view.
June 12, 2008 at 11:55 pm
Please please.Is there a way of getting Jacob back?That guy has potential! You are making the project lose its fame.Let not the viewers determine the winner.
June 13, 2008 at 12:01 am
jacob arudi.you know the guy has mad talent.it saddens me that its become ’survivor tpf’ because the students seem to be trying to eliminate the talented!students votes should stop being considered,better yet,they should stop voting!
June 13, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Hi pessimist?
First, let the bygones be bygones. To u who hate Hemedi with passion, lemmi start with men, the reason why some dudes don’t like hemedi is because we see him as though ” he is spilling the beans in the eyes of the public” i.e we think he is showing to the world what us men do under the carpet and also he seems a threat to our ‘human kingdom’,then to the chics,you dont like him because he is handsome and can ponyoka with anyone, even you mahaters, you are jealousy of him. i know why some of thhe girls like Hemedi, definitely because chics like players and bad boys for that matter. where can your voice alone take you? did i say i am a dude as well? i will go on voting to himas long as i look like him.kenyan brother. mi ni uncle ya baba ya nyanyake
June 16, 2008 at 6:46 pm
please all off u who r there are not serious
why r judges in the academy wen they can decides who leaves n who stays coz after Jacobs apart from esther i dont see why fame is still going on pliz do something coz this round its terrible its a kenyan fame not E African coz ….. dont even understand
June 16, 2008 at 6:57 pm
please they stop that coz how could they leave the three Tanzanians after eviction whats is that called pliz i nid to know
June 20, 2008 at 2:42 am
My dear TPF is becoming Kenya Project Fame coz u can’t keep on sending one co home we don’t enjoy the TPF. But let me tell u de truth after sending Jacob home however much u need us to vote sorry we won’t do it. Coz the TPF is a mess I do not enjoy watching Linah when Jacob is sent home. How could u allow students to vote what were u expecting. And we very well know dat u pple u want kenyan’s 2 win so what’s de purpose of voting. just get de money, give it 2 kenyan, chapter closed,coz dats what u want. We are looking 4 de best not 4 de country.
June 20, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Please I like de way Ian is conducting TPF who ever feels uncomfortable with him that’s his problem. Students need 2 work hard not 2 think dat they came 4 a holiday (home away from home) he told Wendy what she was supposed 2 do and now Wendy is very ok, apart from Linah who has failed 2 change. Hemedi I can’t comment however much I like him, dats him and that is the best he can do. He can’t do much, Shaka said if he was serous may be he could do much, but per now I can’t see him change.
June 20, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Please I like de way Ian is conducting TPF who ever feels uncomfortable with him that’s his problem. Students need 2 work hard not 2 think dat they came 4 a holiday (home away from home) he told Wendy what she was supposed 2 do and now Wendy is very ok, apart from Linah who has failed 2 change. Hemedi I can’t comment however much I like him, dats him and that is the best he can do. He can’t do much, Shaka said if he was serous may be he could do better, but per now I can’t see him change.
June 20, 2008 at 11:44 pm
In all honesty and without prejudice, Esther is the best and I call upon all East Africans to join hands in voting for her so that she can develop her career.
June 20, 2008 at 11:47 pm
I respect judge Ian he is the best judge. He has no favourites among the contestants