Echoes of a Dream: The Audition That Tested My Voice and Resolve

 On this day 7 years ago, I went to audition for  #TheVoiceNigeria at Westown hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

A photo of a young lady at an Audition with a tag on her neck that reads "Rosemary Nwosu"

I was watching #bbnaija  when I saw the advert and I said to myself "Rosemary, you are going for this audition, you won't miss it for anything".

I looked forward to the event. I made necessary preparations. I rehearsed on my own. I had the confidence I needed to pull through. I dreamt everyday of how I became the winner of Voice Nigeria 😏.

Fast forward to the much awaited day!

This day came. I woke up very early. Took bread and Tea for breakfast. Got ready and my sister went to drop me off at the venue.

We got there before 8am but the queue I met plus the scorching sun was enough to drain all the energy and confidence in me😓.

What can I do naa?

 I joined the queue and kept encouraging myself. I didn't get into the building until 12:00 noon 😢 with number 556 hanging on my neck. Our entry was delayed because people who knew people were coming and going inside without joining the queue, people with long legs.

Who do I know kwanu?

When I finally got in, I told myself I had already won the competition as all I needed was just get into the building but that was just the beginning of what was to unfold.

Inside the hall, people were already displaying their talents with beautiful voices waiting for their turn to be auditioned. Some came with guitar and different musical instruments. Some came in group. Some came with their friends. Some came to oppress us with dressing. Some came with their lovers giving us so much oppression. Some came alone, like myself. Some came to snap pictures for Instagram likes and comments. Some came to meet celebrities because alot of Nigerian celebrities were present at the event

By 4pm I was already very hungry. I couldn't buy food from the hotel because a plate then was 4k.

All of these distractions plus serious hunger were enough to discourage me to leave, but guess what, I stayed till the very last minute.

At 6pm, they were still at number 300 and something and my number was #556

At a point, I lost confidence in myself 🤦. Yes I did.

I decided not to sing the song I had been practicing with. I chose a Bruno Mars song instead.

I got distracted!

I felt like I was not enough!

I felt like all the people in the hall were better than me😢.

I felt like I didn't have the voice I needed to be in The Voice Nigeria.

I allowed Impostor syndrome set in.

I lost my voice!

But in all of this, I refused to go home.

I told myself I would not leave unless I was given a chance to sing. Even if it means singing rubbish ,I must perform 😂.

By past 8pm, even the judges were tired! Alot of people angrily left. Some stubborn ones like me refused to go. My sister was calling because she needed to come pick me up as it was late already. Hunger was slicing my intestines. I still refused to go.

 I think it was around 8:30 pm that I heard my number called.

I went in, saw the auditors and began to shiver 😂😂.

They asked me to sing and I began. 

▶️"Same bed but it feels just a little bit bigger now...

Our song on the radio but it don't sound the same.....

When our friends talk about you, all it does is just tear me down....

'Cause my heart breaks a little when I hear your name....

It all just sounds like ooh, ooh, ooh, hoo...

The next thing I heard while trying to climb a very high pitch was "stop ⏹️", I stopped, he said " continue"

And that was the end of the road for me. I couldn't continue from where I stopped. I told them I wanted to start afresh, one of them refused but the others asked him to give me another chance.

I started afresh but went blank. I couldn't remember the lyrics of the song again. I was visibly shaking.

They thanked me for coming and encouraged me to try again when I am better prepared.

I left with a part of me feeling down and broken. I felt disappointed in myself. I had a strong hat.red for that guy who interrupted me. 

But I was grateful for that opportunity. I was proud of myself for taking that step(I still am).

It's true I didn't get my desired result, but not trying would have caused me more pain.

Here I am 7yrs after, I am not the Voice Nigeria, but I alone know how far I've come .

Hoping for better days ahead

#rosemairo