Hundreds of contestants, aspiring to become next Nigerian Idol superstar, today thronged the Dream Studio, Bamako Street, Lagos venue of the music reality TV show, Nigerian Idol Season 5. The same scenario is expected tomorrow as these budding stars seek to impress the Show’s celebrity judges with their performances for tickets to participate in the second stage of the competition.

In order to give Nigerians equal shot at stardom, auditions were held at different regions. The audition train started in Benin at the Excalibur Hotel, through Xscape Centre, Port Harcourt. Bolton White Hotel, Abuja, then played host, followed by Kakanfo Inn & Conference Centre, Ibadan.

According to the organisers, Etisalat Communications and Optima Media Group (OMG), Nigerian Idol focuses on discovering Nigerian youths with talent in music and giving them a unique platform to take shots at stardom. The eventual winner goes home with N7.5 million cash reward, a brand new car, a recording deal with Universal Music Company worth N7.5 million and some high-end devices.

The first runner-up gets N1.5 million, a Galaxy Tab, a phone and an iPod while the second runner-up gets N1 million, a Galaxy Tab, a phone and an iPod. All other finalists will receive N100,000, a Galaxy Tab, a phone and an iPod.

Nigerian Idol successfully debuted in 2010, won by Yeka Onka. Mercy Chinwo, Moses Obi-Adigwe and Evelle joined the ranks of Nigerian Idol winners in the subsequent years.

•Photo shows, from left, Darey Alade, Mrs Ugochi, ED, OMG, Dede Mabiaku, Yinka Davies and Ills Rymz (celebrity judges of Nigerian Idol, apart from Mrs Ugochi and Ills Rhymz).