Ambitious and delectable Tamara Eteimo has emerged winner of the 2011 Next Movie Star reality show. The bayelsa state indigene’s belts and braces as revealed in her determination, courage and impeccable acting skills in the face of stiff competition gave her the winning ticket amidst other seven finalists.
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.
By virtue of her victory, the theatre arts graduate who is also nursing a career in music will in few days time pick up the keys to her SUV car, cash prize and take up movie roles.
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. The NMS Hall of fame already occupied by Kingsley Ogbodo, Portia Yamahan, Enoch Hammond (Ghana), Avinette Sirleaf (Liberia), Oyinda Odesola. and Akio Precious Ilami has thrown its door. open to Tamara, its newest cult member.
Some of Next Movie Star’s products who are equally blazing trail in their respective careers include the recent Big Brother Africa All Stars winner Karen Igho and past winners Uti Nwachukwu and Kevin Chuwang Pam, who were runner ups in different editions of the show.
For the first time in the history of the show, eight contestants made it to the finals. This according to the executive producer of the show, Sola Fajobi was as a result of the 2011 set “this year’s edition like I’ve been saying for few weeks now 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 was beyond our expectations, the judges at some point were bewildered, choosing the 24 for the training and grooming session and then the regular 16 housemates was a pretty arduous task, infact, eviction became quite tough because all of them were unique in their own ways. But we had to conform to the rules.
“I’ve not had a single sponsor ever since this show began 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 aspiring youths out there 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.”
In her reaction, an overly elated Tamara was at first incoherent with emotions, “right now I’m the happiest in the world. I’m extraordinarily excited. I knew my persistence, hardwork was 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, I say a big thank you to Mr Sola Fajobi for giving me this opportunity, believe you me, NMS was worth my while. I’ve learnt a lot and it doesn’t stop here. NMS was the tip of the iceberg, I’m going out there to make a difference”. She avowed.