Kunle Ogunrombi, better known as K-Peace, has made a shocking revelation about his experience as the winner of the popular Nigerian Idol reality music show.
Speaking on Nedu Wazobia’s ‘Honest Bunch Podcast,’ the singer accused the show’s organisers of failing to deliver the prizes he rightfully won during the competition.
K-Peace, who emerged as the winner of Season 5 in 2015, alleged that the entire process was deceptive and that despite being publicly declared the recipient of a cash prize and other rewards, he was left to fend for himself without receiving what was promised. His claims have sparked controversy, with many now questioning the credibility of the reality show and the treatment of its winners.
During the interview, K-Peace recounted the moment he was announced as the champion of the show. He explained that he was presented with a ceremonial cheque of N7.5 million, along with the promise of a brand-new car and an all-expense-paid trip to Dubai.
However, he alleged that the cheque was merely for show, and when he followed up to claim his winnings, he was met with endless delays and excuses. According to him, organisers kept assuring him that the car was being branded and that the cash prize would be paid in due time, but months passed, and he received nothing.
Instead of enjoying the fruits of his hard-earned victory, he found himself struggling to make ends meet, with no financial support coming from the competition he had dedicated himself to.
The singer painted a grim picture of his post-Idol experience, revealing that he had to walk around Lagos for interviews without even having money for food. Despite his high-profile win, he remained broke, trying to survive in an industry that expected him to thrive after such a major achievement.
He emphasized that the reality of his situation was far from what viewers had been led to believe. “I came out of the Nigerian Idol platform with zero naira in my account,” he lamented. The glamorous portrayal of his victory on national television stood in stark contrast to his actual struggles, making him feel betrayed by the entire process.
K-Peace’s frustration was evident as he continued to share more details of his ordeal. He recalled repeatedly asking the organisers when he would receive the money and the car, only to be given vague responses that kept pushing the timeline further.
“It was announced that I won N7.5 million. I asked when they were going to give me the money and the car. They were pushing it forward, saying the car was being branded,” he explained.
His expectation of a rewarding post-show experience quickly turned into a nightmare as he realized that what had been advertised to the public was, in reality, an illusion. The dream that was sold to him and millions of viewers turned out to be empty promises.
Beyond the financial aspect, K-Peace also highlighted the emotional and psychological toll of his experience. The weight of expectations from fans and the public, combined with the lack of actual support from the show’s organisers, left him feeling abandoned.
He had won what was supposed to be a life-changing competition, yet he found himself struggling like someone who had never participated. The promised trip to Dubai never materialized, and the supposed benefits of winning seemed to exist only in press releases and television announcements.
His account raises concerns about the transparency and integrity of reality music shows in Nigeria, particularly how they handle the rewards and post-competition support for their winners.
Although K-Peace’s revelations have sparked outrage and debate, the snippet of the podcast currently available online does not confirm whether he eventually received his prizes or not.
His story, however, adds to a growing discourse about the fairness of reality show competitions and the accountability of organisers in delivering on their promises. The allegations, if true, could cast a shadow over the credibility of Nigerian Idol and similar talent-based competitions.
Many will now be watching closely to see if the organisers respond to these accusations or take steps to address any discrepancies in how winners are treated. For now, K-Peace’s experience serves as a cautionary tale about the entertainment industry’s less glamorous side and the gap between televised success and real-life struggles.
