By Rita Okoye
After 12 weeks of intense competition, powerful vocal displays, and captivating performances, Anu Agosa, the songstress known as Purp, made history by emerging as the winner of Nigerian Idol Season 10, becoming the first female contestant to clinch the coveted title since 2014.
Her victory comes with a remarkable prize package that includes a brand-new SUV, a ₦30 million cash prize, a DStv Explora with a one-year Premium subscription, and a music deal to kickstart her professional career in the entertainment industry.
In this interview with Sunday Sun, Anu shares insights into her musical journey, the challenges she overcame, and her plans for the future.
How did music start for you?
Music has always been part of my life. I grew up in Lagos, I was born in Lagos, Ebute Metta to be precise. My mom was the head of the choir at our church, and we used to have choir rehearsals at our house. I didn’t know I could sing at that point, I was joining them.
It became more developed when we moved to Abuja. I was given opportunities to show that I could sing, and I started to learn my capacities. Getting into the university, I became more interested, because I began to meet more people with similar interests. I studied Theatre Arts at the University of Ife. For me, it was finding the beautiful blend of music and theatre. It was a beautiful experience for me, and I could not change it. I really loved the theatre. It opened my eyes to see a bigger picture of it.
After leaving school, I moved from Abuja back to Lagos, still pursuing acting but also doing music. I joined 121Selah in 2022 and ever since then, it’s just been that way. We sing together and write songs together. Since then I’ve just had to get better and more professional in my artistry, which has led me here. Having to meet people, watch other people and learn from them, I was able to evolve into what I am today.
With all the prizes won, how do you feel?
That fateful Sunday, I woke up hopeful. I didn’t know what it was going to turn out to be. I hoped for the best, but I was terrified. Above all, I think I just wanted to enjoy the show, and trust God that eventually it would happen, and when it did, I couldn’t believe it. I just wanted to cry and thank God. I was very emotional.
I have been sleeping and waking, and it is still surreal. I’m still pinching myself, telling myself I won. Above all, I am grateful for this whole experience. It’s overwhelming and surreal. I feel like after the next few days, the realisation will dawn on me of what has happened.
What legacy do you hope to set for yourself as a music artiste?
I am a creative person. I sing, act and dance. I am a performer. I started in theatre and I’m still doing theatre. I’m not just going to stop now and feel like this is it for me, I’ve won it, it’s the end. There’s so much more work I’m going to do. I will go fully into my music artistry and career to release songs. I love telling stories with songs, even as an actor. I want to be relatable to my audience. I want them to be able to listen to me and see themselves in me.
I am a believer, it’s just that I didn’t get to sing a gospel song althrough the show. Even if I am going to write a gospel song, it is not going to be like the regular gospel songs. I will talk about God in a creative way. I will go along the line of storytelling. The legacy I want to leave behind would be authenticity, versatility, genuine artistry and reaching out to people that can relate with my story.
What are some of the things you learnt on the show?
Starting with the performance, coming from theatre, I understood how to use the stage and communicate with the audience. In this light, I had to think about film, not just the stage. I had to think about cameras, how to communicate with the people at home, not just those live. I had to adjust to the mic, and I also had to learn on the spot how to speak. Because I am pretty reserved. I had to learn through the show. I had to have conversations and learn how to speak and listen. I had to learn how to brand myself, not just on social media but in personality, in style. I had to learn all of that as the show went on.
Is band artistry something you’re looking to explore?
I also delved into repertoire music, which involves having a band. I go and sing at private lounges. I currently have somewhere I work at Ikoyi that I plan to go back to. I have a couple of people I’ve worked with from last year, that if I call them together now, we can go and become a band, and do stuff, if I’m invited to do stuff, we would work together. I’m already in a band, 121Selah, so I’ll just continue what I’m doing with them.
What’s your impression about Nigerian Idol as a phase, having gotten this far?
Nigerian Idol is a huge platform. I think I will digress a little. One of the mistakes some of us creatives make is to get familiar with the name, and then they overlook the fact that it is a huge platform that puts you out in the world. Being the face of Nigerian Idol for the next year is a big deal. I don’t have the words, but I’m optimistic about what this is going to bring and build for me as a person.
I am also optimistic about the opportunities it is going to give other young creatives. Because it’s not just about me, it’s also about the people that put me here. It is also about the next generation that I will be inspiring. I am grateful, honoured and humbled as that person people look at and call a good example.
Growing up, when I told my parents I wanted to be an actor, a lot of people told me it wasn’t possible unless I did some unethical things. But my parents supported me and motivated me to keep on pursuing my dreams. I hope to inspire the younger generation that they can achieve their dreams as a creative.
Who are your greatest entertainment influence?
I have a lot. Jasmine Solomon, Anita Baker, Anita Wilson. In Nigeria, I would say Asa, 100 percent.
Describe your personality as one of the Bigi flavours?
If I were to describe my personality with one of the Bigi flavours, I would go with Bigi Tropical. It is fruity, sweet and it is a blast of different flavours in one. I am dramatic, expressive and playful. All in one, I would say that I am Bigi Tropical.
The theme for Nigerian Idol S10 this year has been ‘Rise To Victory’, and that has been my experience. Because I started off as a shy, timid artiste. I started off the show not really knowing what I was doing, but ready to put in the work, but step by step, I was discovering my artistry, and I was finding out what channel I wanted to go as an artiste.
Bigi was a headline sponsor for the show, and because of them I have been able to actualize into this, emerging as the winner of Nigerian Idol S10. Without Bigi, this would not have been possible. Thank you so much Bigi, I am grateful.
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