Ambitious and delectable, Tamara Eteimo has emerged winner of the 2011 Next Movie Star reality show. The Bayelsa State native was adjudged the most outstanding and talented in the reality television show. Tamara’s victory, which was announced by Afro juju maestro, Sir Shina Peters, comes with a brand new SUV, cash prize and three movie roles. Not just that; she will be heralded into the Nigerian movie industry popularly called Nollywood with a lot of pomp and reverence. It is not easy emerging winner of Nigeria’s most consistent privately funded reality television show. Neither was it easy for the 24-year old Theatre Arts graduate of the University of Port Harcourt to breast the tape in this year’s edition.
Pitted against equally talented youths drawn from all over Nigeria, Tamara made it to the last eight; the first time eight contestants would be announced as finalists. The executive producer, Sola Fajobi says, “This year's edition has been a unique one. It started right from the audition grounds; we were awestruck by the quality of talents we saw, their zeal, energy and courage were beyond our expectations. At some point, the judges were bewildered, choosing 24 of the wannabes for the training and grooming session and then 16 housemates, instead of the normal 12. It was very tough inside the house. In fact, eviction became quite tough because all of them were unique in their own ways. But we had to conform to the rules.”
Meanwhile, witty and articulate budding actor, Tomiwa Kukoyi; beautiful and soft-spoken Aisha Alli-Balogun, sultry Vivian Egbon, were first, second and third runners up respectively.
In her reaction, an elated Tamara, who was at first incoherent with emotions, says, “Right now, I'm the happiest in the world. I'm extraordinarily excited. I knew my persistence, talent and hard work were going to pay off someday and I'm most grateful to God that it came through today. My appreciation goes to my parents and siblings for the huge support ever since they learnt of my involvement in NMS and I say a big thank you to the organizers for providing a platform for young people like us to actualize our ambitions. I'm going out there to make a difference.”
Now in its seventh year, the Next Movie Star acclaimed as the most consistent TV reality show has churned out an appreciable number of talents who are doing well in their respective careers; like the last three Big Brother Africa winners; Karen Igho, Uti Nwachukwu and Kevin Chuwang Pam; Kingsley Ogbodo, Portia Yamahan, Enoch Hammond (Ghana), Avinette Sirleaf (Liberia) and Akio Precious Ilami. All these achievements are despite the fact that the NMS has not had a sponsor for years. “But I'm glad I'm touching lives and that means a lot to me. Just like we have been doing over the years, our mission is to give youths specifically those who have flair for acting and are intent on carving a niche for themselves in the entertainment circuit a platform to express themselves. The 16 contestants have gone through thorough and successful grooming by seasoned professionals in diverse endeavours, viewers voted, judges made their decisions and we are proud to introduce Tamara Eteimo as the 2011 Next Movie Star. As you have all seen she has the charisma, she exudes aura and is quite talented. She will no doubt make her mark out there.”
