Wednesday, May 02, 2007

IDOLS WA + NIGERIA'S NEXT TOP MODEL UPDATE + OLUCHI

Hey Everyone, how is your week going so far?
Hope you enjoyed the Hot List on Monday...
Anyways, here are some quick updates.
____________________________________________________________________ I LOVED the Sunday's episode of Idols West Africa
The whole thing rocked!
Omawumi's performance was untouchable.....that girl can SING
Plus the way she enunciated the Ibo was on point, she really did Onyeka justice...
Ummm...what is Jerrilyn still doing there?
Eric - ‘Olo mi’ by Tosin Martins
Temitayo - ‘Agolo’ by Angelique Kidjo
Omawumi - Onyeka Onwenu’s ‘Ekwe’ – WOW! She did an amazing job
Jerrilyn - ‘Wombolombo’ by Angelique Kidjo
Timi - ‘Oruka’ by Sunny Neji
Jodie - ‘Adouma’ by Angelique KidjoOUT
___________________________________________________________________ So the Nigeria’s Next Top Model event took place on Friday and was won by Olabimtan (Bimi) Adegoke. Congrats to her.

Photo & Video Source: Naija Connects

...but that isn’t the main story. I have gotten lots of emails from people who attended and about 100% of them have been negative. Fellow blogger, June O attended the event and HERE is her account of the event.
Arieta who was part of the Nigeria’s Next Top Model team also left a stinging account of the event as a comment HERE (Scroll Down)
Well, I do not want to get involved in the drama but when I stated on my blog that ‘A contact at Bankable Productions informed me that they are yet to secure the official rights to officially use the Top Model name’ and when some readers/commenters questioned the show, some people accused us of ‘hating’ and not supporting Nigerian initiatives.
Well, read and draw your own conclusions. Personally, I hope the whole matter gets resovled.
___________________________________________________________________ Oluchi Onweagba and Luca Orlandi welcomed their first child in April 2007.
I am soooo happy for them.
Trusting that model chick Oluchi, I'm sure she'll be back to her skinny self by next week.....lol
Anyways, congratulations!
Luca Orlandi is notoriously private so I doubt if baby pictures will be released but we'll have to wait and see. I am sure the baby will be so cute!



That's it for today.
Have a great day....Ciao

88 comments:

Anonymous said...

WOOOOHOOOO Im first!!!
xxxxDammie take that :)xxxx

Anonymous said...

haha-2nd
anon
xxxsittingacrosstheroom take that :)xxx

TMinx said...

3rd is ggod enough.... I can't believe Jodi was voted out. I think the whole of Liberia is voting for Jerrylyn.

Anonymous said...

Congrats to Oluchi and Orlandi, they have baby boy its actually a lil over two weeks I think. I am sure the baby is toooooooooo cute. All those people talking rubbish need to zip it. Isnt your blog called Bella "NAIJA" nuff said. keep up the good work miss bella. i love that yellow edition too hot!!

Anonymous said...

Bella, the hot list was so fun for me! I have to go back and look at that again and again :)

Finally with WA Idols!!!!! They listened! They probably scoped out what ppl where saying on ur blog. They sang Naija songs AND did you notice they dressed in African fabrics? Woo hoo! E bami ki oluwa logo. I thank God, on the real. We are a step in the right direction. Would love if the designs on the talents where a bit stronger but just happy WA Idols made the transition. So let me enjoy dis one. Yay!Woo hoo! Great blog, content and everything. Keep up the good work Ms. Bella!

Ms. Catwalq said...

made top ten yeah!!!!
getting closer to first

bibi said...

i wasnt crazy abt omawumi's performance...i like onyeka's version better sha..

ill be happy if eric or timi wins...timi was amazing..i was nver a big fan of TIMI..but he outdid himself w/ his own remix of oruka..

Jerrilyn..thats another story..the whole liberia must be voting 4 her..she reminds me of SANJAYA on american idol

Dammie said...

Lmaoo @ TC....dammit!!!!!!!!!!

XxMuahhhxX

Ms. Catwalq said...

I finally get to see what the fuss is about American Idol. My speakers had not been working so I had not been able to listen to the previous clips.
Who is Eric? How come I have not heard anything on his cuteness? That boy is fine oh

Icy PR said...

Omawumi - Onyeka Onwenu’s ‘Ekwe’ – WOW! She did an amazing job

Oh my gwad that was some kick ass performance.. My goodness.. RAWK ON Omawunmi.. got that Igbo locked.. Wanna bet she be festac babe hahah loL! RAwK ON! that was so refreshing to watch...

Anonymous said...

WOW!!!!!! That Omawumi babe is too good abeg....she really did well...was too impressed..infact had to listen to her again...

Liked Timi's rendition of Oruka but have to give my hat off to Omawumi this week..

@ Catwalq, ah we ve said it in d past now of how Eric is eye candy...lol

Congrats to Oluchi & her hubby..happy for them..

Hmmm Bella wat more can I say that I ve not said b4....my dear friend really proud of u...keep up the good job...u keep outdoing urself every time...well done dear:)

Anonymous said...

Chineke! that Eric is too fine for his own good oh! cat dang!!!
*back to drooling*

soul said...

I attended the event. 'Next top Model event'.

First thing.. Absolutely ALL the models were beautiful.. absolutely gorgeous.. they were amazing..
Without them, I swear I would have climbed on stage and dragged my money back out of Sandra Walton-Powers (the organisers hands)
Bu they went through HELL! courtesy of the organiser Sandra.

I actually sat next to her (the organiser) at one point and I was appalled by her behaviour.

She kept interferring with the judges, going over and pointing and saying stuff about the contestants...

Not only that..
But that woman couldn't organise a piss up in a brewery.. I swear Bella if I wrote a review you would think I made it up.

The doors opened at 7pm. the show was supposed to start at 9pm.
The announcers didn't get on stage until 10:45pm!!!

There was no food for people with normal tickets, only for VIP (fair enough) but the caterer was not allowed to sell food to ANYONE.

Oh and let me not even write about the stupidity of some of the music acts.. as if say na by force to Rap.
You know what I am gonna go write a review after all.

Naija Vixen said...

It's a sad thing about the Naija Top Model event...i just got an Email from Arieta aswell...sad that Nigerians would always try to outplay each other...nobody knew all these was happening behind-the-scenes...disappointing!

Dimples said...

Yeah totally loving IDOLS more and more!!!..Omawunmi to win men!!...that chic has been consistent men.

Tminx I agree jare...either the whole of Liberia or that big bum of hers is really raking in the male voters...as in she has just gone down hill..what happened to the girl with the sad story that sang on her 1st audition???

Congrats to Oluchi!!!..wish her the best of luck with her new bundle of joy.

Lets not even talk about NNTM..to think i was going to carry my head and hard-earned £££'s to go and watch it....not one person I know has brought back so positive or encouraging news...as in what happened to 2face or D'banj???...u should have seen the way that Sandra Walton-Powers woman was talking on BEN...one would have thought maybe OBJ or Tyra sef would have made guest appearance...anyways it's the 1st one...lets just hope they learn from their mistakes.

Chale said...

I dont want to be un patriotic but NNTM was in my option a waste of time to both the models and the auduence.

I thankfully did not have to pay to get in because i was helping out a friend to promote her new restaurant (MAMA CASS)in london.

I saw the models back stage and they were al upset. They had no say in anything, one girl was crying in the toilet about how she didnt have heels to wear.

I can go on and on about it. I hope if there is a next time teh organisers will actually organise.

Awoof said...

Why am I the only one who notices an aggressive left nipple poking out of Oluchi's dress?

Dimples said...

Oh yeah on that note!!!..a cheap plug in here(mwah!!! sorry Bella)

For all ya'll London peeps

Mama Cass opens in London on Friday the 4th of May..
194-196 Burnt Oak Broadway, Edgware HA8 0AS(opposite the Iceland store)

Please come!!!

Bella u can send me the bill for this advert!!!

Aramide said...

Dont really follow Idol WA anymore but heard about the NNTM event lol, another stinging coverage....Luca and Oluchi look cute :o)

Anonymous said...

*rolls eyes @ TC*

SO! sad to hear what happened with NTM, especially since I know Arieta and I know HOW MUCH effort she put in promoting it, like it was being organized by her. I hope Nigerians really recognise that's it's up to each and everyone of us to make a good name for our country and do the honourable thing. I feel even worse for the contestants.

For some weird reason, I had been thinking of Oluchi and if she had given birth throughout last week!!...Ohhhh, i'm soo excited..MY GAWD. That baby is going to be SO CUTE. Ha, I think I want a child now...LoL. We need to see that child!!

AND

@ Awoof....LoL, that's not her nipple jo!!

ALSO, Bella....do u think I can charge dimples on your behalf?...since you don't charge for ADs. I really want this G4 - It's pink and gold inside...LoL

XxKizzesxX

Anonymous said...

hey....its been fun reading all your comments bigups to everyone who posted...comments....oh yeah this is my first post and really bella am proud i know you babes!....you rock......

ehen now to all them people...the NEW GUY don land oh so make unA watchout....cos nothing dey kpai

Anonymous said...

dammie,sittingacrosstheroom,anon the NEW GUY is here oh......so take that!

oluchi is still as cute....their pikin go fine well well... i know cos i get some as niece and nephews!...idols don dey tire person...but i think timi over spoil oruka....sunny nneji no go too proud...!emmm ...but then again...nothing dey kpai!

Anonymous said...

I went for NTM - the worst social experience i've ever had in London - and to think I paid £30 - I must be the biggest fool. Now I will not be going for anymore Naija stuffs - I was an avid promoter of Naija stuffs but now I'm just like never never again. That Sandra woman - If I could shakpe (curse) for her I would - it's just that I will go to church on Sunday and feel bad. - I honestly felt like I was in JS3 during one of those after exam talent shows - even those were off the hook compared to NTM.

Dimples said...

Dammie thief ole!!!!...
See me see trouble o it's with my hard earned kash u want to use to buy G4..u never jam o...me sef I smell G4 before???

Bella jare don't mind yeye Dammie.

Dammie said...

XxLoLxX

Anonymous said...

hey new guy anon... no just try me o.

Mimi said...

thats such sad news about the NNTM thing, considering I know one of the contestants but obviously they'd never tell u these things...
I had an issue with it being held in london anyway but I guess its all good.

Meanwhile I am loving Oluchi and Lucas the more jare, and that he is a private person is a +++ for him.

Anonymous said...

Omawunmi's performance was superlative. I am happy for her!

Mari said...

wow what a story. I just read the comment about the whole NNTM event. Its too sad that there are some Nigerians out there who really do a good job at give others a bad name.
Oh well, life's a bitch, abi.

Congrats to Oluchi and her hubby. Am sure that kid would be really cute.

Unknown said...

A big hearty congratulations to Oluchi and her husband. Such welcome news.

Anonymous said...

its no surprise all the pageants/modelling shows organisers by Nigerians are waste of time. The winners never get ANYTHING and its always poorly put together. The people who really pay are the contestants who put a lot of time and effort into it . Miss Nigeria UK, MBNG UK, NNTM all scammers..all greedy people ...NONSENSE PEOPLE...its a quick way of making big bucks ..they use these poor girls and promise them endless nothings and sometimes have to the audacity to even use Charities and claim is for a good cause....'Motherless babies', 'Cancer research', 'HIV' ...SCAM ! SCAM! SCAM! ..

x Bisi, UK

Pretty makes the day go faster said...

I think Ekwe is like the first song I remember really liking in my life and I love Omawunmis performace...didnt even bother with the rest though Im sure theyre nice as well.

Smoothvibes said...

ok.. I've told u a zillion times already I love your blog right?.. I admit it's the hotest thing on the block now..

My mom just sent me this....

"Visit this link, I am sure you will like it. Check out her archives.... she seems to have same interest as you do. Nice styles, hot juicy gists and good writing. http://bellanaija.blogspot.com/"

Anonymous said...

Gongrats to Oluchi and Hubby.

NTTM - Egos, egos and more egos LOL

Doc A said...

My mom and I were raving about Omawumi's performance, wow she has the Igbo down and really rocked the stage! It shows her versatility, for that she gets my complete vote of winning it all!
Eric is just a fine boy, Timi isnt, on that note, it'll be hard for Timi to win. The last 3 might end up being Omawumi, Jerryln and Eric. Jerryln appeals not just to Liberians but a lot of guys like her sexy nature it appears.

low said...

Obviously my ears are deceiving me as i actually like Jerrilyns performance...loll oh well,, i guess thats why my ass cant sing. I liked it sha. As for the light skinned guy E something....nah nah nah plsss

as far as Uche is out they might as well cancel d show

low said...

ok timi..SUCKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...whats with the she is ur mother sister n losing his breath..
Im beginning to wonder if the top 24 would have been d actual top 24 if simon was a judge

Anonymous said...

You can bet that if simon was a judge he probably won't accept the crappy staged-selection model they adopted; it blindly eliminated the talented likes of Lara George.

Oh Jodie!......sob,sob....

Bella I knew you were gonna put up something on Oluchi soon. If you hadn't I would have temporarily questioned your "ears-to-the-wall" trait.

jak said...

Wow, I nearly fell out of my chair when I saw Eric on Idols WA. I know the guy... Family Friend. Didn't know he could blow like this. Have childhood memories of him like regular boy that played with my bro, not as some eye candy crooner that chicks could be dying for. That's so cool. I know his family will be so proud of him! Good luck to him.

Congrats to Chi-Chi and Orlandi. We want to see pictures sha

Anonymous said...

That girl singing onyekas song OWNED it. The jerrilyn everyone is wondering about was a hot MESS. I now totally agree about singing cultural stuff and african theme'izing the whole deal as they are much bearable than listening to all those luther vandross/whitney houston remakes. I never bothered keeping up with the shows but this one gave them much more character and flair. Anyway that EGWE singer is the bizness! Damn. I bow.
The boys should go and perch somewhere they lack soul. Singing isn't only your voice its presence and delivery.

BOBBY said...

I am shocked at the Nigerian Model Event...my goodness.

I just read the account of one of the contestants and i am in shock...

That aside, congrats Oluchi...

Unknown said...

Phew...*loud sigh of relief* - they are finally getting it right on Idols West Africa. I had completely given up on the show because it was turning out to be a clone of American Idol which is all the buzz everywhere you turn here. The songs plus the outfits for this installment finally bring it back home. I must commend your consistency Bella. Well done! Let's hope the show's producers can keep up with the African theme and not revert to Celine and Luther songs please... the world has seen enough of that. Not that it will make any difference from all the way over here but my vote goes to the guy who sang Olo Mi...I think he did it better than the original (if there is any such thing). Congrats to Oluchi and her husband on the new bundle of joy and thanks for sharing the good news.

Anonymous said...

The EKWE performance was too bad!
Any ideas where i can get Onyeka Onwenu's songs plz... Omowumi good 'jab'!!!

Anonymous said...

I grew up listening to Onyeka... and I shed a tear or two watching dat EKWE performance... sweet memories

Anonymous said...

Uncharacteristically, I almost shed a tear as well for that performance (yesss grammar sue me). I am not even the tradiitonal type and avoid tribal songs. But that was just a bbeauty, like she made the song herself, perfectly (almost) executed, "stand up sit down" LOL! Her heels were disturbing her groove though.

The top model garbage, they are all purposeless from naija to yankee to jand. Filled with a pack of NFA's and want to be's for organisers. Someone said ego ego and more ego. You know the true story. If I saw this kind of self appointed fashionista I would take to my heels.
http://www.thelondonpaper.com/cs/Satellite/london/on%20the%20street/article/1157142268892?packedargs=suffix%3DSubSectionArticle

Unknown said...

damsel in the desert abeg talk betta ting, about this Eric... any current gist? Is he straight? married? girlfriend? etc. Thank you in advance for any knowledge you might be able to impart on us. I heart Eric.

I hope the baby looks more like Oluchi.

Jerrilyn is still there, not just because liberia dey vote for am, but because african men too dey like to look at bakassi.

Nigerian bootleg top model... I'm not surprised at all. As for the sour lemonade that Arieta has decided to pour all over the internet, it makes her look just as bad and extremely foolish. There's a better way to get your money,than to throw internet tantrums.
The right to use the TRADEMARKED name wasn't ever secured (public knowledge); common website was down for how long? The chick was unprofessional from the get go but it's only now after the show has flopped you realize it was a sham? Abeg jo. As per Sandra, madam 419, all the money you have eaten will just keep you hungry.

soul said...

kpakpando...
on a serious note.. you had to be there to really understand how this whole stuff went down..

I was there. I was pissed from 7pm! seriously. I don't know arieta personally, but I had to ask someone who this woman was on the day.. because they were arranging the hall, putting stuff out at that time.
i thought they were the organisers...

I don't see how relating this makes her look bad.

Infact I welcome what she is doing.. because usually.. what happens in Naija circles.. is shit happens and people just move on and say..
well what did you expect, then they turn around and act like nobody told them if this 419 woman strikes again.

I'm glad Arieta is putting it out there, and people really need to make a big issue out of this.

Arieta and a few other people put their professional lives on the line, French Elle magazine came along and brought a photographer, they left at about 7:45pm because nothing was ready...

Some of the models were in tears because this woman had manipulated and sold people down the river...

This woman showed herself and the people who she roped in. Usually in london.. once this happens everybody just says.. oh well and the person is free to live and rob people another day...

Kpakpando.. the tickets were $60! for standard seats.
$110 for VIP.

I am soo sure that many of the models who took part are biting their tongues right now because of all the stuff that went on..

I saw the way this woman moved, she barely left the judges alone for one minute and kept on going to the judges and pointing to particular to particular ones, making comments the whole time.

I believe. arieta is aggrieved and rightly so. she put her professional reputation at stake and on the line.. she took care of those girls when the organisers was busy swanning around on Ben TV acting like she gave a damn.

The models were beautiful, tehy worked hard, they tried...
if it weren't for the models I think I would have personally walked up to Sandra and slapped her for wasting my time.

Anonymous said...

Arieta, highly unfortunate. My instinct and initial irritation proved to be right. Partly because I had covered a similar story BUT that story was super aggriegious and was committed by an African American woman based in San Francisco, at the time, her name is Jacinta Law. Google her and be careful in case she comes to London doing double speak. Thanks for exposing the con-artist. Hopefully, that serves as a deterrence for her. Credentials and experience are ALWAYS super important in this fashion game. It was clear she was a rip off from the get go ripping off Tyra Bank's name. Sad on the FASHION 419 but at this point,all ppl can do is move on and/or sue her.

Unknown said...

hey bella, hijacking your comment section, ndo.

Soul, I'm not saying the show was good or she should just say oh well and move on. However running up and down the internet in every comment section where the event was even mentioned is not a good look. Plus it sure as hell isn't going to get her the balance owed to her bank account any faster or change the fact that her name was already attached to the event (thanks in part to her internet voltron actions) To me, she (Arieta) comes across as messy and unprofessional, just like the woman she complains about. If she really wants to make a statement about the show, she needs to take the woman to court (you guys have small claims there right) and sue her. Get it on some sort of official record (because blogger fit delete all the comments one day, you know how google can be) that the woman bamboozled all of them together. Ranting and raving accomplishes nothing, it's definitely not adding to her now tarnished professional image. She needs to take this battle to where it belongs, show that the woman committed breach of contract or something, crucifying her publicly will fade... legal records have a longer shelf life.

For those of you who came out of pocket, I hope you requested for your refunds there and then like you would for any other crap-soaked show you paid your hard earned money for. Unfortunately for these people doing model shows/beaurri pageants/large scale reunions they don't do proper planning, they just get an idea an run with it and expect it to turn out good because they got the "right" names involved (exhibit A: Nollywood, over 15 years after violated and still no proof that scripts are actually in existence much less followed) Clearly as a people we need to do better, however e-bitching isn't helping anyone get there faster.

@ladybrille, you sure Jacinta Law isn't naija? the name jacinta sounds like on of those igbotic americana names.

Anonymous said...

And Kpakpie has said it all. These two are definitely peas in a pod. Sharon Stone and Arieta Mujahideen. Why is one screaming fake name while bearing an unoriginal surname. Again, kpakie said it best, messy. But I thank you for the e-entertainment though, however hard it was to matrix my eyes through all the arrows in that expose.

Nigerians are such a bundle of laughter.
I think everyone is trying to steer from the negativity as it will surely tar professional relations. Then again, true professionals know better than to consult with overnight experts.
I want to hear that Powers voice for some more entertainment.
For everyone scarred and bruised by her, joy cometh in the morning! She will defo get it back tenfold., That is if Arieta doesn't find her first!

Anonymous said...

@ kpankpando....smalls claims court ke? easier said than done. From what me I read oh (i no know book) there were no contracts signed, just word of bond over the phone and emails.

Besides life goes on, we all have to keep on the daily 9-5 grind after all is said and done.

nonsense.com lmao @ the link to Arieta's picture, that pose na original alan pose! but u no find better picture for the girl? *lol*

Anonymous said...

and omo Arieta campaigned tirelessly for this event so i understand the pepper wey pain am. It's one thing to be an onlooker, it's another thing if your name and money is all over it.

soul said...

@Kpakpando...
I undestand where you are coming from.
If I were Arieta I would start my own blog just to blog about the event.

But in someways i really think she needs to get the message out and this woman's name out in the public... across the board to Nigerians.. and this is one of the ways.

There are many young Naija people in the UK trying to do things and the community here is small...
No doubt, if people don't say anything, this woman will do things like this again and again and again... she will rob people blind!.

Ben TV isn't going to give arieta space to talk about the event and what went down... so how else does she do it?.What else can and should she do?..

how else does she let people know what a 'muppet'and a fraud that Sandra woman is?.

Especially up and coming, Idea generating, dynamic Naija people?.

If I ever see that sandra's name anywhere on any event advertising material, I will personally and professional write to whoever is backing that event to let them know what a shambles has taken place.
This woman has spoilt show for future peeps...
You think French Elle will ever here about a Naija event and send people to cover it on their own money again?. HELL NO!

And from half way through this event Arieta tried to rescue it, she tried to make the best of a bad situation, she tried let the show go on before talking about what happened.

You can't blame her for that... abi?

I see what you are saying, I really just don't see any avenues for Arieta at all.

Small claims court?. You are joking right?.. wouldn't you have to find Sandra before you can take her to court?. Nobody can find her! and from what I heard arieta tried to get the rest of her money on the night to no avail..
Sandra ran away.. the models were left to pack their stuff whilst a sea of men floated around trying to pick them up.
It was not pretty. Some of the girls were literally being badgered by dudes. Seriously... it was horrible.

Segedoo said...

BELLA'S THE BEST.

Pls don't go ever go AWOL o. I'm Addicted to your blog.

I'm adding you to my favs rite away.

Anonymous said...

I'm really annoyed at Kpakpando's comment! Whoever you are, excuse me but you must be a bit of an idiot! Arieta put her neck on the line for this event - how do we not deserve to know the truth behind the scam! You should have been there - maybe you'll understand my own frustration. I paid £30 plus £20 cab money – my dress cost me £80 plus it cost me my precious Friday nights rest!
That Sandra woman has tried to destroy Nigerians reputation in the UK fashion industry ! ‘Kpakpando says why don't we attack the few people that are trying hard to build it up!’ Pls K don't annoy me becos I'm about to loose it. I don't know this Arieta girl but all I can say to her is don’t worry wbout it girl – there are a few good Nigerians left out there who are not rouges and mean well and can generally pull really good events

Anonymous said...

r u sure i listened to the same songs as others?Eric did olo mi well.I dont think omawumi's version of ekwe compares to the original.If it was AI,she wuld have been told that its risky doing an onyeka song like its risky doing a mariah or whitney.She's an entertainer though but her voice didnt quite cut it for me.Then the guy that did oruka spoiled it jo!

Anonymous said...

This gist is sweet. Although I am now at the point of rolling my eyes. I believe people should be a bit smart about what they get themselves into and not always thinking about a quick ticket to "fame".

Here is the Sandra Powers rebuff from naijavixens blog. In fact this place is dry in comparison (on this issue!) The sandra sounds very well composed and seeing both their pictures, the accuser leaves much to be desired. Sandra comes across as factual and on point..anyone care to check those references? Bella-Sleuth? !!
I can't be bothered


Having done all to stand I will stand.

It is not a sin to have a vision.
It is not a sin to share that vision.
It is not wrong to believe that no matter what life throws at you, you can and will overcome.
A lot of people though the NTM event would not go ahead and in the face of the most seemingly insurmountable of obstacles it has.
It is not the first time that one would be verbally decapitated by people who one had trusted so much but sure enough, it is the most painful to date.

Arieta Mujay was brought on board as PR for the NTM event and having done her best to garner the best of PR for us, she had put pen to paper and is now from all accounts doing her best to garner the worst. What good such vitriol will do – I am at a loss to say.

Having being recommended by a lady whose business judgement I had trusted, it fills me with sadness to see how the hands that built a home (NTM) can deign to scatter the home.

To all that wonder who this blogger is, let me let you in on the secret, this is Sandra – the show organiser for the NTM event.

Yes there were pressures, yes it was our inaugural event, yes our post-mortem says that there are a number of things we will correct the second time round going forward, yes there were doubters who didn’t think we could pull this off, yes we DID pull it off.

How something so beautiful could end up as a medusa – ugly and vile – I don’t know.

True the following apply;
I may have deep voice
My partner may drive a hummer
I have a sister called Claudia

But the following do not apply;

I am not aka as anything other than Sandra Powers
I am not full of SHIT, not a witch, a bitch or a fraudster
My favourite articles of clothing are not pink joggers, grey heel or pin stripped blazer – I hasten to add Arieta this could well be pot calling kettle black – my sense of style is certainly more sedate.

I have not put my name into the hat hoping to win businesswoman of the year award – that is not why the NTM event was conceived. I did for the love of my country – I am Nigerian first businesswoman second. I have always defended this intiative as an opportunity to obey to the call to promote brand Nigeria.

Having invested well over £40K to see this event make manifest, I failed to make enough money from ticket sales let alone drinks. I did not make up to £5K from ticket and drink sales and only £2K in financial sponsorship. I specifically took a Cambridge maths graduate to handle the figures (and there were lots of them) that I could see what was going our and what was coming in. I welcome anyone who wishes to see these figures.
Of the 20 crates of Guinness that were given by Malta Guinness, 10 were free and 10 were given to us at cost. We sold only 5 and have had to give 5 back. Malta Guiness and Guiness imports have us on record for this.
My credit cardssss were not rejected by the Novotel Hammersmith and to date a payment of £952 representing payment for a one night stay by al 15 models has left my account – please call Novotel on 0208/7411555 to confirm
The production company was paid well before the event – to all who wish to verify this fact please call John Watson (Office & Events Manager. Corporate Events UK Ltd - Tel ; 08707 66 22 14 (ext) 24.

By all means bleat about as much as you can with all the vitriol you can muster, you will not break me or indeed the sense of achievement that ‘I feel that at least this event came to pass.

Re aftercare; Blueprint Events has an account with Addison Lee taxis and too date a total of £1, 957.74 has been run up by virtue of the the fact that 4 days after the event the comapny still goes out on pick up/drop off jobs ferrying the girls, Arieta, Zee and Damilola Ogunbiyi and anyone one they have given the account information to various homes and locations. How can I be described as an ogre after this. Arieta you have outdone yourself this time. Anyone who wishes for a copy of the taxi bill, hotel, food etc... bill can email me at nexttopmodel@london.com and I will send it to them - immediately!

This person that you describe is not me nor is it painting a correct a right picture. Arise O compatriots, Arieta Mujay’s words please do not heed!!!!! For they have been tossed like ugba – African Salad!!! You are bitter and twisted. I regret ever dealing with you.

The NTM event was always going to be full of drama and emotions were bound to run high, alas not even I forsaw this. The show went on and as far as attendees and participants alike inform me, all enjoyed it immensely.

The show will go on Arleta and most certainly NOT WITH YOU ON BOARD. We have secured an admirable support system going forward and given your actions perhaps it is safe to say that the concept will develop as a hit reality tv production and not a staged production. I’ll be damned if I will ever expose myself to ridicule such as the ones you have ever again.

Having done your worst, I can only but say it is certainly bad enough. Your fees were never up for negotiation, nor were anyone else’s, you have chosen to run before walking, why tell me did you anticipate you were not going to get paid. Makeup and hair got paid, MC’s – Oreke and Adaora got paid, BEN TV got paid, PR got paid, taxi’s were paid for, caterer got paid, production got paid, hall hire (Hand Fulham council) got paid, security got paid, gele woman got paid, ushers got paid, hostesses got paid, tickteting staff got paid. Everybody but the three musketeers. Perhaps therein lies the story. You quit so many time that I lost count. As at when the show started I wassn’t ever sure you were still on board. You were not leading, you were not following, you were not getting out of the way. Why have you chosen to be a thorn?

Till the end I stood by you and worked with you, the least you could have done is done the same. Jesus, to think I went on record and qualified you as the best thing since slice bread in the event brochure. My how my words come back to haunt me! You didn’t deserve the glowing terms in which I have used to refer you.

I repeat it is not a sin to have a vision or indeed to want people to come on board and share that vision. My mistake was in saying yes I’ll have her on board. I did not know you before this event and in all fairness wish that you had remained unknown as you have done nothing but wreck havoc and unrest. With your words on this blog and in countless conversations with every man and his dog, you have continued to undermine my production. I conceived it, I birthed it, I with the help of so may others and my God especially saw it through. Arleta go in peace and find that elusive thing which continues to elude you. Stop destroying dreams which people were born to fulfil.

It is not a sin to have a vision.
It is not a sin to share that vision.
It is not wrong to believe that no matter what life throws at you, you can and will overcome.
A lot of people thought the NTM event would not go ahead and in the face of the most seemingly insurmountable of obstacles it has.
It is not the first time that one would be verbally decapitated by people who one had trusted so much but sure enough, it is the most painful to date.

To anyone especially the 15 models who wish to discuss matters arising with me please reach me as always via www.NigeriasTopModel.com

To anyone who has a dream - please be careful who you choose to share that dream. By all means execute, live the dream, build your team - but please count your teeth with your tongue as the hell which you think will never be unleashed outside will implode from within.

Unknown said...

at last anon, I am trying to be nice, so Bella doesn't have to close her comment section.

You'll be glad to know that there's no bit of idiot in me. But based on what you got out of my reply to soul, it sounds like you have a problem with reading comprehension. In no way did I say or even try to imply that you attack the Nigerians in the UK fashion industry, I said (and I thought clearly) that Arieta's action on the internet since the end of the show, makes her come across as:

1. Foolish (why co-sign your name to anyone/anything you cannot personally vouch for; why work when the terms of your contract haven't been met)

2. Messy (the bit about the model in the hummer, the revolt minutes to the show)

3. Unprofessional (the posting of her account all over the internet like a rabid animal, without a single mention of her taking a professional (legal) action.)

She entitled to her anger, hell if I putmyself in her position, I'd be mad as hell; but channel it into something productive, not becoming the e-version of a market woman.

Your complaint sounds as though its based on the fact that you invested what you couldn't truly afford, but it was your personal decision to do so. I also hope you demanded your money back. If you're annoyed at my comments again that really sounds like a personal problem for you. As an adult, you should really find an effective way to communicate your displeasure without resulting to personal insults, as your message will not be heard clearly. Have a great weekend.

Unknown said...

@i tire for naija
Why are you tired of us na, u should have drank the stout at the even for power? lol. If no contracts were signed then Arieta really needs to get it together, verbal contracts though legal in not enforceable. Though I'm sure any email referencing the money or taped convos like Arieta alluded to can count as evidence, a pro like Arieta should know to protect herself first, dream be damned.

@soul
Arieta has every right to be angry, feel slighted and want to get her own version out, but I disagree with her actions. If she would have taken the professional steps first, or even alluded in her rants that she was going to, then perhaps I would be of a different opinion. Right now, regardless of the truth to her version of events, she hasn't painted herself in the best of lights. I know neither party, nor was I tortured at the event like so many of you were, so my assessment is based on the words i've read. Maybe her own blog might have been a better vehicle to get her message across, but even then... based on her words& actions here(on e-land), I would never want to work with Arieta and I would caution anyone I knew to work with her too.

Maybe the legal system is different there, but suing seems like the best reasonable option available to get the word out about the shadiness. Who knows French Elle might never want to cover another Nigeria Top Model event, but if Nigerian models/events get superhot they will. But don't let a resourceful intern at French Elle google Arieta's name and find her rants because she has helped to tarnish her own professional reputation that she highly acclaims and they definitely will tread carefully if they want to work with her.


tossup... damn naija people too like gist, especially when there's drama involved. :D EVEN ME. Sandra's word are better put together, but she sounds like a fool too. I mean if someone quit on me once, I'm not letting them back in to come screw up my shit again. All the offering of evidence to prove she paid, only makes me think the opposite (like arieta's claim) are closer to the truth.


I live in a litigious society, so I say they should all sue each other. :D

Anonymous said...

Hi Bella.

I've been visiting your blog for a while now. How do you do it considering the fact that you have a full-time job? What I love most is how you seem to bring out the best in naija. the clothes, stylists, hot spots, fashion etc, the list is endless.
please and please, you need to start a tv show to showcase your talent. You are one of the best and thank you for bringing naija to us in the states (that's the feeling I get when I read your blog). keep up the good work and stay blessed.

Anonymous said...

you guys are just a bunch ridiculous so and sos.

@KPAKPANDO,funny enough u didnt dissapoint me with the rubbish you came out with.....if someone googles arietas name they wont wanna work with her again.
did you follow this whole NTM drama?arieta put her reputation on the line all the while most naija peeps were dissing the show from the start.
what she did isnt new?or is it in your world?how many times does a new kid come on the scene and wanna make a change in one area or the other?in the process,they need sponsors,people with experience etc to put the show together.
419 SANDRA(and i know what im talking about)was the one who decided to "do something on another level hereby canvassing for support in different aspects(hair,styling,make-up)etc.
people like arieta did what any nice person who belives in another womans dream would have.SHE OFFERED TO HELP AND PROVIDE HER SERVICES.
and she got burnt.
SANDRA who is a well known 419 amongst those that know her(she has done her deals in different aspects,i guess fashion was the next step)SANDRA knew what she was doing?she knew she was going in it just to fatten her pocket.
I KNOW ONE OF THE CONTESTANTS PERSONALLY,I WAS THERE ONE DAY SHE CAME BACK HOME CRYING due to what sandra had put them through,a lot of thos girls couldnt back out because they had invested a lot of their personal money and time.most of them are just young stuggling girls trying to make it.
i went backstage thrice and i saw the CHAOS and the point where arieta was calming a lot of the exasperated girls down.
i saw when SANDRA ordered a girl to walk out because she suspected she had been "eyeing" her stud of a boyfriend(and i know a pig that flies sandra)
i know how arieta and EVERYBODY else was bent over backwards to help that COW called sandra.all because they wanted naijas name to be stamped once again on the fashion world.DO U KNOW THE GRAVITY OF HAVING A TOP FASHION MAG WALK OUT?
what was madam sandra doing all the while?
flaffing around doing FUCK ALL!!
confusing everyone,talking trash in her grating irritating voice.
getting in the way.
SANDRA A LOT OF US SAW WHAT HAPPENED!
the night of the show,i got a text from a friend of mine who had just come in from the states and she was like "i even heard that one 419 woman is organising a show,its called NTM etc etc"
i was shocked cus i was already sitting waiting for the show to start.
i went out to call my friend and she gave me the low donwn on sandra etc.
im doing an internship at vogue so my friends always come to me for a lot of fashion gist,BUT DUE TO THINGS LIKE THIS I HATE INTERACTING WITH THE WHOLE NAIJA CLIQUE.
my boss actually told me that IF THIS SHOW WAS A SUCCESS,THEY WOULDNT MIND GETTING ON BOARD NEXT TIME.BECAUSE NAIJA WAS BECOMING SOMEPLACE TP BE RECKONED WITH!!
WHEN I WENT BACK TO THE OFFICE,IT WAS A DISGRACE,I COULDNT EVEN TELL THEM WHAT HAD GONE DOWN.AS IT IS IN THE FASHION WORLD,GIST HAD GONE ROUND,THE ELLSE PEOPLE HAD TOLD SOME PEOPLE AT MY PLACE OF WORK.

AND BELIEVE ME..IT WAS NASTY AND I REFUSED TO DEFEND NAIJAS ON THIS OCASSION.

@TOSS-UP,u must be slow i swear.so because someone blows big big grammer makes them more honest and believable?
i hope u dont work in a bank or in a place where you are in charge of huge amounts of money cus you are the perfect target for well-suited 419ers.

Unknown said...

@ vogue-rocks... if what you got from what I posted was rubbish, then perhaps its your blind eyes that refuse to see what I wrote for what it was.
Sandra sucks. I think that was established already.

Arieta running from pillar to post makes her look bad. Was she the only person that was burned? Why is she the only one ranting like a mad person? She might be missing the lesson she's supposed to learn from this experience and might have to be re-taught.

as an intern at vogue I'm surprised that you have the ear of the decision makers at Vogue London, but if you stay in any line of business long enough, you'll realize that in the grand scheme of things, this is nothing and one random event isn't going to put the Nigerian fashion business out of business forever. Good luck to Arieta, you at Vogue and the other victims.
Sandra isn't the first male sounding pageant director who will have disappointed fellow naijas; she probably won't be the last... all people (new kids and old kids alike) need to shine their eyes well before putting their name on the line.

Anonymous said...

WOW!!! i swear i read the whole comments from head to toe including Sandra's letter, i think i just broke a record. lol

Anonymous said...

The perfect targets were the ones that off their pata gi gan *pint, panties* to go and do fash par for free.

I have said that nijans feel they are so smart to be so stupid. You celebrate the loudest, most bogus of mediocrities then cry foul when the scales fall off.

Top Model America holds no water in real couture and Tyra is a joke. Why then would a Nigerian spin off that is NOT affiliated with Top Model be reputable.
It does not take 1cm of brainpower to know that all lthis fashion, pageant do's are riddled with frauds, impostors and fairy tale pro's.
It is for the most secure in insecurities.

And if the girls dont know this, as well as Arieta at 27, wow and your almost pushing 30; Dont let anyone sell you down the river for their cheap dreams. Everyone is out for self [as well as you I suspect]

I really cant say the frame of mind people have to pay 60 quid or whatver for a Nigerian fashion show. I guess London must be really boring.

soul said...

@kpakpando..
just for some more info...

French Elle sent a consortiun down for the event.

this wasn't billed as nothing.
French Elle magazine paid their own money to send a photographer and someone to interview the organiser. I was sitting in the hall when they left because nothing was ready.

This makes things difficult for many people..

i see what you are saying, but I just don't see any other way to warn people and let them know what this woman did or is doing to people.

A representative of the leading black PR firm was in attendance,s he sat in the audience with regular folk and didn't say anything.. She was there from around 7:30-8pm. she sat and I could see the look of disgust on her face.

I don't know how it works int he US, but I'll say this it is going to be extremely difficult to get major coverage for Nigerian fashion events in the mainstream UK media now.

It's the way it works here and I suspect in the states.
One Naija person does somethig dodgy and it becomes something that all of us did.

Someone up thread said she got a call from someone who knew that Sandra was a '419 person'... well if everybody knew that then they wouldn't have invested soo much energy and time in the event.

But how do people know?. Who tells people who should be avoided?. i didn't know until I attended this event.
Is there a way that someone can have a list of people to avoid doing business with within the naija community? so that other people don't lose time and money over things like this.

I see where you are coming from, but again I really would rather that Arieta put it out there. instead of just reserving this for the closed doors of the courts so that Sandra 'the fake organiser' can live to prey on some other unsuspevting people.

how does the word get put out

There are many other people who have said something.. and I am also going to say something about this.. both professionally and personally.

It was truly a shambles and I saw the girls working on the night trying to do jobs which weren't there's to do. It was only cause I asked that I relaised that they weren't responsible for doing the jobs they were doing.

These ladies did what they should have done, they tried to pull the event together.. they worked hard inspite of what happened out there.

The UK is small, we don't have many opportunities to make mistakes of this magnitude... so what do we do now?.

Anonymous said...

I don't know this Sandra or anyone involved in the NigerianModel thing but i think that people should stop using the internet to take cheap PERSONAL shots at others. Ok, so her show was shit, BIG DEAL, i've been to shows organised by people from various countries and some have been shit, some successful. Just ignore the show next time, if there is a next time.... you guys should have realised from the adverts et al, that it was going to FLOP!!!!!

soul said...

@toss up..

It's all well and good to say things like this now..
but if the event worked well.. you wouldn't be saying that now.. and it could have worked well...
Very well indeed.

If a project manage came in and managed the project.

what you fail to see is that people wanted his to work. people came together and offered soo much to someone who is essentially a con artist.
All they asked for was the support of the community, which actually they barely got.

Because many people were too busy pushing their nostrils up at it, or negating it, or feeling it is and was beneath them.

So they went ahead and pulled personal favours, contacts and all to make something.. to realise something.. it doesn't matter if it was just a pageant or a show or whatever they wanted to realise it, make it something...

Tyra might not be regarded as anythign in coutureville... but in America candy gloss magazine world she is producing the next 'top girl next door'.
I doubt her aim was ever to produce a super model... just America's next top model and pretty much most of the top girls on Tyra's show are working.. and damn if she ain't generating enough revenue...

See, somebody has to occupy the middle lane.. so what if this was an opportunity to occupy that?.

It's quite unfair to now attempt to dis the girls who went forward for this.. why not?. They are braver than most of us, they put their best foot forward knowing that Nigerians would largely only say something positive about them once they achieve success or ocne somebody else recognises them.

But when they are struggling int he trenches our people will curse them, and ridicule them for even daring to dream.. or daring to think that they had bodies that could sell clothes.

Damn I tire for my people!.

soul said...

Anonymous...

I am making my comments as a member of the paying public.. who paid for my ticket.

Doors opened at 7pm I was there.
The first entertainer came out at 10:45pm!.

When I went to Erykah Badu's concert and she kept me waiting for 2hours.. I blogged about it and I tell everyone. The only time Erykah is on time, is when she is performing with other artist.. hence I only go to see her then.

Same thing here.. i paid my money for an advertised service.. If I don't get that service I'm gonna talk about it.

there is no other forum to do that except to blog about it.
If i could get a refund I'd ask for it.

Anonymous said...

Folks, calm down. I really think Kpakpando points are legitimate and well thought out.I understand what Arieta is going through, her name was indeed dragged through the mud, although she very contributory in that regards. However, as Kpankpando correctly pointed out, Arieta with experience should probably have dotted her i's and crossed her t's. If she had knowledge of all the shannanigans behind the scenes, she should not have proceeded AND defended the event so vigorously. Doing so only makes her look just as bad as the alleged fraudster, Sandra Powers. At the same time, I understand the passion Arieta had to give back to Naija and teh feeling of being 419'ed by her own. However, at the end of the day, there is more than one way of resolving this issue. In the Jacinta Law fiasco I alluded to, some people set up websites, the media from New York to international publications published the story, AND suing her was also pursued or attempted by others. In this case, consider doing all. Set up or tell the story. I think Arieta with how she defended the event has A DUTY to protect the public from a scammer. Although it is critical her accounts of the facts are TRUE so she does not defame or open herself to suit from Sandra. Arieta can blog, talk about it, sue her and more. It's not one or the other. The only thing I'd say is Arieta, collect yourself! Especially, with the cursing, it makes you look bad as opposed to the alleged scammer, Sandra Powers. I believe that Arieta is truthful because it makes no logical sense why Sandra would keep having Arieta come back over and over if she suposedly quit over and over again. People, calm down! If you bought tickets, seek reimbursement in small claims. If you are Arieta seek legal redress in court. Enough talking. How you handle a situation is just as important, even if you did not cause the drama. There's a saying that when a mad man steals your clothes and leaves you naked running into the river; if you run after the mad man too, you end up looking just as mad.

Anonymous said...

@SOUL,THANKS OH..LEAVE KPAKPANNDO OR SHUKU AGBADO OR WHAREVA THE HELL SHE CALLS HERSELF TO BE SHOOTING WINDY POPS FROM HER ARSE AND CALL IT YARNING SENSE!!

SO BEING AN INTERN MEANS THAT I DONT WORK AND REPORT TO SOMEONE OR ARE YOU ENVISIONING THAT VOGUE IS ONLY ANDRE LEON T,AND MISS WINTOUR?THOSE ARE THE ONLY PEOPLE WHOSE "EARS ARE WORTH HAVING"?

GIRL I WISH I COULD GO ON TRADING WORDS WITH YOU BUT READING YOUR DRIVEL,IT JUST TURNS MY TUMMY.YOU ARE QUITE IGNORANT AND CHOOSE ONLY TO SEE THINGS YOUR WAY.WHAT A FOOL.
YOU ARE A VERY DAFT WOMAN OR MAN AND THE SAD THING IS YOUR LAME ATTEMPT TO MASK IT AS HUMOUR.

HOW CAN U SAY SOMEONE WHO WORKED HER BUTT OFF AND GOT BURNT AND 419ED IS RAVING LIKE A MAD WOMAN?
I HOPE ONE DAY YOU DONT BECOME VICTIM OF SUCH,BECAUSE BELIEVE ME,U ARENT ANY SMARTER THAN THE AVERAGE GIRL OUT THERE(AND I CHOOSE TO BASE MY CONCLUSION ON YOUR COMMENTS)

MEN,IM OFF THIS THING.

GOOD LUCK TO ANYONE ELSE WHO CHOOSES TO DO BIZZNESS WITH THAT MAD COW CALLED SANDRA.

Anonymous said...

eiyaaaa Soul e don do ok. We will sing kumbaya for you now okay? Arieta as well. Like anonymous said, it was an obvious blatant eyed FLOP from jump.

People with their marbles about them can smell shiet from a kilometre if not 10,000km away!! Simple.

I no lie, even if the show was alright, because thats all it could have been, is alright! .I would still turn my nose up. Honest truth. As in really, to what end?

All that torey about Tyra, why settle for mediocrity when you can achieve Excellence?
Agbero recognise agbero. The ones that shine among us have paid royal dues so not just anybody can come and start selling them hogwash and they too will buy.

We are not hating and negating, more like being discerning in matters of cock and bull.

soul said...

@Ladybrille...

fair point.. but that's the thing.. I figured someone would say set up a website and I said..if i were Arieta i would have acutally created a blog about it.

@Vogue... please abeg you and kpakpando bury the hachett, abeg..

@tossitup..
haba.. you've had your say, i'm having mine..
whats with all the 'e don do' business.. if you wanna make a point do it.. there's no need to then try to nullify mine. Jeez!
you've said your own.. I didn't patronise you...

Anonymous said...

ALL GIRRRRRRRRRRRRRLS OUTTTTTTTTTT!

DBANJ HAS LEFT A MESSAGE IN NAIJAVIXEN BLOG! INCLUDING FULL GRAMMAR FOR ALL!!!!!!!!

EROOOOSHHEEEEEEE

lol

Unknown said...

arieta can do whatever she wants, but she should be aware of how she can possibly be viewed with each action. It's clear that Vogue rocks is one of Arieta's supporters and because of that is unable or unwilling to see (or admit publicly) that Arieta actions though justified are not necessarily appropriate, but may actually contribute to the further marring of the name and reputation she holds so dearly.


bella update o jare. I have been clicking and surely will send you a bill for my physical therapy because u have caused me carpal tunnel by now i'm sure

Biodun said...

I cant wait for Eric to win the cmpetition already or maybe omawunmi, lol.

Inuke Omotola Davis said...

Omawunmi's performance was on point.

Inuke Omotola Davis said...

As for NNTM
Dbanj says

Dbanj aka KokoMaster said...

number 1, just to clear the air to all the koko masters and kokolets that are troubled by the NNTM show. I was not aware of any show happening . That is the truth. U People need to realise that you get alot of pple just like "Sandra Powers" who exploit pple( Yes , the kokomaster can speak good english). They try to say that i would be performing at a certain show when they fully know that i wouldnt be there ( Why Me!!), the best thing is that before you attend any show make sure you find out from the organisers a week before the show to know if the artists would still be attending so that if they do not and it is not announced on time you can hold them accountable and get ur money back. Watch Out for Me this summer performing in london in June, July and August with my new tracks " Anaconda" and "why me - remix".

No Long time

Mo'Hits Records( www.mohitsrecords.com)

Inuke Omotola Davis said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Inuke Omotola Davis said...

A contestant tells her side of the story..

ivie omoregie said...

WELL WHAT CAN I SAY?

My name is IVIE OMOREGIE, and I was the contestant that Miss Sandra 'WilderBeast' Powell tried to kick out of the show, the reason for which remains unknown to this day.

Through out the event I showed support. I was committed to the end, only to find that Miss WilderBeast was not who we had thought she was.

She is A LIER, A THEIF, A CROOK AND A FAKE.

I even went to the extent of organising a major sponsor for the show, in the form of CHIEF IGBINEDION, some of you might know who he is, for those of you that don’t, feel free to google him.

He gave her money and organised some traditional Bini clothing for the hostesses.

I was present when she willingly accepted his money, but not when she went to pick up the clothing.

During the week of the show I got a call from Miss WilderBeast, asking me to return the clothing. To this request I refused. I explained to her that to return clothing ordered for her from Nigeria would be rude. As the Chief is a family friend, the implications for me would have been great. I explained to her that if she truly did not want his support that she should also return his money. She said ok and we ended the conversation on good terms.

On the day before the event I arrive to an angry WilderBeast. She was asking me why I was there and insisting that I stand to one side.

At this point I am confused; me and Miss WilderBeast had not argued or exchanged harsh words. To my recollection we were on good terms. But yet she insists that I stand to one side.

When she finally speaks to me, she explained that her 'Husband Who Drives A Hummer' did not like me, and that because of ME they had been arguing all week. Till this day, this fact confuses me. The weekend prior, I had driven with her 'Husband Who Drives a Hummer' to primrose hill, and there was no animosity on either part.

It was here that she mentions that they had also been arguing because of the Chief. I then asked her if their arguments had been mainly because of me or because of the Chief, she then confirms that it had been because of the Chief.

she had made it clear to me that she had, in the past gone to the house occupied by the chief, and indeed on the day when we picked up the sponsorship money, I was asked to excuse them for roughly 30 minutes. What they were doing or discussing, I do not know.

MY SUSPECISION IS THAT THEY HAD BEEN SEXUALLY CONNECTED IN THE PAST, AND THAT WAS THE REAL REASON MISS WILDERBEAST AND 'HER HUBBY WHO DRIVES A HUMMER' HAD BEEN ARGUING.

She had told me that she was going to lie to 'Her Hubby Who Drives A Hummer' about going to see the Chief, when we had initially gone to see him. When she said this, I asked her why she was lying to her man, but she did not answer.

In my personal opinion, there is NO need to lie when you have nothing to hide.

putting all that aside, what sickens me about Miss WilderBeast is that she did not even have the guts to say openly that she did not want me on her stage. She would always indirectly say that her 'Hubby Who Drives A Hummer' did not like me, that I had done something at the filming of a music video.

THIS I FIND ANNOYING, AS I DID NOT DO ANYTHING WRONG.

When I asked her why he did not like me she could not give a straight answer. I offered to phone the organisers of the music video to explain to her that through out the whole filming I had not left the communal area, she said there was no need. I do not know why she felt so threatened by me, as I always showed her the utmost respect.

To put a twist in things, after the show, I discover that her 'Husband Who Drives a Hummer' is actually a long term family friend and that my parents had known this guy for over 18 years. I approach him and ask him why Miss WilderBeast had tired to embarrass me. To this he claimed to know nothing. He insisted that he had not said that he disliked me and did not have a clue of what I was talking about.

Miss WilderBeast was not the true organiser of the show. Credit for the show should go to Zee, Arieta and Dami.

They are the true fashionistas, who know the who is who in the London and Nigerian fashion scenes.
Miss WilderBeast does not have a clue.

Her Sense of fashion is just as dated and expired as she is. I am not one to judge people for what they choose to wear, but I often questioned in my head her choice of attire.

For a woman who claimed to have previously earned £600 per day, her choice of clothing was somewhat odd. Through out my whole time with her, she rarely changed her clothing, often wore track suite bottoms with high heeled shoes and often smelt of B.O.

Inuke says: All these infomation is copyrighted (LOL) and comes from nijavixen's website. Contact her blog for more info on other contestants telling their side of the story and their experiences.

Anonymous said...

Let me start by saying, i don't know Sandra at all and that i really do empathise with Arieta and Ivie. Its quite obvious that Sandra is not liked by many people. She really needs to look inwards as this may be unconnected with the show itself, who knows.

HOWEVER:
Arieta, Ivie & co, for crying out loud stop all this!Of course you are PISSED OFF but most of the things you've written are out of order.
@Ivie: cursing a person's kids or talking about barreness are horrible things to say, you're a woman think about the future. There are more dignified and decent ways to air your anger on any blog without saying things you'll later regret when you calm down. Don't worry about Sandra, she appears to have enough enemies and if she is really that bad then her behaviour will manifest again anywhere she is, as its like smoke and can't be hidden.
@Arieta: as a professional it looks really bad that you're dealing with your issues in this way. It's obvious that you did so much for the event and are are let down by the Sandra's input, alleged mismanagement etc and its understandable that you feel the need to disassociate yourself. Just move on, you're a professional and you are going to have a variety of experiences bad and good, you can't go on blogs everyday of the year. With all the good things people have said about you as opposed to Sandra, i'm sure you'll continue to do well in future.

Anonymous said...

emmmm Bella where are you?????????????? i hope u r ok o....no blog....have tried reaching u....emm pls holla at a sister so i kno u r ok....

chidi said...

oluchi has had her baby??? i;m very happy for her

Anonymous said...

Enuff of the gibberish on NNTM. Shit happens,life goes on.
PLS WHERE IS BELLA???!!
No wkend luv? No update?
Dear Bella i hope u're fine.
I've missed u.

Dammie said...

B!!!!....I miss youuu, where are youuu :(

MissJ said...

I did not even know Oluchi was pregnant. How did that happen? Not O getting preggers--me not knowing. I am a such gossip hound!


jaja

Anonymous said...

I was a judge on the NNTM event and cannot believe what I am seeing on this blog. I was told about it a few weeks ago and although I promised to stay away from reading or even contributing to this blog, I felt I owed it to her to defend and stand up for her as the insults are too much.

On the night of the show we were well looked after. We ate and we drank and didn't have to pay for anything.

I have known Sandra for some time hence the reason why I accepted to be a judge on her show. I am very happy to confirm that I am very happy to work with Sandra again in the future. Having worked with Sandra before I am happy to say that she has always come across as a decent and hardworking young woman.

For a show put together by an African, a Nigerian, a black person at all, it was a brilliant.

London had not seen a show of this magnitude before. Sandra does not deserve what has been written about her. The shots are cheap and nasty and disappointing.

That young lady committed everything to make that show happen and as far as we the judges could see, it was a job well done. The personal attacks on her are cheap and go way beyond what is called for.

No matter what had happened backstage, Arieta should never have attempted to use this very public and faceless of mediums to generate hate about Sandra.

Knowing Sandra as I do and having being involved in the planning of the show I know for a fact that the stories are lies and extremely damaging.

Anyone who runs a business knows how hard that we as blacks - Nigerians expecially - have to work to protect our image and our brand. By her actions, arieta is not a professional and I would urge anyone who wants to work with her in the future to remember what she is is capable of - destroying names and brands.

Congratulations on doing something no other person has. Many people talk about it but you did it. Keep your head up and know that you are appreciated.

Admin said...

Actually i was banking on omawunmi to be the west African idol, one because she sings really well, and two because she is a deltan, and three because she is from the Itsekiri speaking tribe, from warri. At lease it would have gone a long way to show the world that a lot of beautiful and talented people can come from Warri, we are not just violence alone. But all the same thank God Timi won, he is really talented. "That Voice sha"

The Blog Editor
www.realitytvnigeria.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

O le ihe mere nu Oluchi ji ga nwe nuru onye ocha??? Chai! Omalicha nwatakiri.

Ike kwa onwuru na umu nwoke be anyi di intimidated by her. Ya ga hunu onye huru ya na - anya, kwe kwanu, i support ya, na - ihe o mee ga.

I hula, being supportive, is good.

Anyway.... anam ekpe kwa na - asi chineke - yere ha aka. O nwu Oluchi na di ya kamu ko ga.

Fa gbado kwa anya.