Afrobeats star Iyanya has shared a surprising backstory about his early days in music, revealing that he was selected for the first season of Nigerian Idol during auditions held in Calabar, Cross River State.
In a recent interview with Hip TV, the singer disclosed that he and Omawumi—who went on to become the first runner-up of the show’s 2007 debut edition—were the only two contestants chosen from the Calabar auditions.
However, Iyanya said he was unable to proceed to the finals of the competition due to a scheduling conflict with his final year university exams.
Despite missing out on Nigerian Idol, he went on to win the first edition of Project Fame West Africa just a year later, launching his successful music career.
Now, years later, both Iyanya and Omawumi have returned to the Nigerian Idol stage—this time as judges.
“Omawumi and I were the only ones picked at the Calabar Nigerian Idol auditions. I couldn’t make it. I had my final year exam. A year later, I won Project Fame. Today, we’re both judges on Nigerian Idol,” Iyanya said, beaming with pride at how their journeys have come full circle.
