GALLERY Nigerian Idol: Countdown to Showtime – “We do a lot behind the scenes”

It is another episode of the exclusive behind-the-scenes Showmax series Nigerian Idol: Countdown to Showtime, and we have a lot to cover. Last Sunday, our top nine contestants performed their favourite Nigerian hits, from host Seyi Shay’s Right Now to Flavour’s Ijele and Ada Ada. But how did they prepare for the evening?

From past episodes, we now know most of the activities that lead to the Sunday night performance. Our contestants pick their songs based on the week’s theme, go on publicity tours, perform sound checks, do costume fittings, then rehearse with the Nigerian Idol band on camera. It is A LOT of work, but they had time for some fun and games this week.

“We got to know each other more today, and it was amazing,” Akunna says after the games. “Although it was a little too pure, no alcohol, nothing, but yeah, it was sweet at the end of the day.”

It didn’t take long before work resumed; they had to shoot inserts for their Sunday performances. “It’s been about filming, changing of location,” an exhausted Kingdom says about the week-long prep. “Every minute, every time, we are always on camera.”

“You see us on TV every Sunday, just singing for two hours, you think that’s the end of the show? No, we do a lot of things behind the scenes,” Comfort adds.

Come with us behind the scenes

But in between shoots and work, they find time for a freestyle acapella session you don’t want to miss. Watch it on the latest episode of Countdown to Showtime on Showmax. New episodes premiere every Thursday evening.