Nigerian skit creator, media figure, and fashion influencer Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori, widely recognized as Kiekie, has revealed the debut of her new talent show, ‘Kiekie Unscripted Experience,’ during a press conference on Wednesday, August 21.
The show is designed to offer a stage for outstanding talents from Nigeria and beyond.
In a conversation with Legit.ng, Kiekie reflected on the inspiration for the show, sharing a poignant memory of her father’s heartfelt response when he witnessed her drumming performance at the age of 10.
The “Kiekie Unscripted Experience” has been in development for three years. Kiekie described the creative journey, explaining that after many brainstorming sessions and extensive teamwork with her creative and writing teams, she finalized the concept for the show.
The program will include 12 distinct segments, each designed to highlight and celebrate a wide range of talents.
She said:
“I had to create a brand new show. I have a full creative team, I have a writer’s team as well. We came together, we had three different brainstorming sessions and I wasn’t feeling it. And then, just like I said, my husband said, I know you won’t feel it, and you will write the whole show.
“I started around 11, I finished around six in the morning. I went to bed, and I called him, and I said, my show is already, and then I sent him the entire synopsis of all 12 segments of the show.
“And so I would say that the journey took about three years of thinking and brainstorming to myself while I’m at work as I’m driving as I’m playing with my daughter, it is in my head.”
Kiekie explained that her motivation for launching the show comes from a desire to help emerging talents who haven’t yet had the chance to gain visibility on a larger platform.
With more than 10 million followers on social media and a monthly reach of 150 million impressions, Kiekie aims to use her extensive platform to provide substantial opportunities for participants.
She sees the show as a dual-purpose initiative: not only to recognize talent but also to provide financial support and enhance brand visibility.
Kiekie expressed her belief that talent should pave the way for individuals, and she doesn’t want anyone’s potential to go unrecognized. She acknowledges that achieving this can be a lengthy personal journey, which is why she is committed to creating opportunities.
With a vast social media presence, boasting around 10 million followers and over 150 million impressions each month, Kiekie plans to leverage this reach to establish a platform where talented individuals can gain visibility.
She envisions a system where each year, through 10 distinct segments, she can celebrate 10 emerging talents. Her goal is to expand this initiative over time, aiming to double the number of winners annually, with the hope of creating 20 winners next year and continuing to grow the platform’s impact.
The talent show will be divided into three primary categories: Talent Showcase, Game Challenges, and Audience Interaction.
The Talent Showcase will feature various segments including music, dance, comedy, Impress The Audience, Blast It Up, and The Big Stage. The Game Challenges will assess participants’ physical and mental skills through a series of dynamic games.
In the Audience Interaction segment, “Talk To Me,” viewers will have the chance to engage with and support their favorite contestants directly.
Online registration for the “Kiekie Unscripted Experience” opened on August 20 and will close on September 2. For those who cannot register online, in-person auditions will be held in Lagos on September 3.
The show’s inaugural episode is set to premiere on October 1 and will continue for 12 weeks.
