The first nomination show of the third season of Tusker Project Fame has put initial space, between the chances of winning of each contestant on Sunday night, but unfortunately Rwanda’s sole female musical starlet surprisingly failed to survive the judges’ decision.

Unlike Saturday when the emphasis was on the country performances, the Sunday live show was more about display of individual performing abilities, so that the chaff could sorted out from the grain.

Indeed, it was, as Kenya’s Patricia led the plaudits with an exuberant performance that wooed the crowd and the show’s toughest judge. She looked good, had nice shoes and even with a difficult song, she pulled it off, those being Judge Ian Mbugua’s own words.

Alpha’s vocal talents were obvious, but his overenthusiastic attitude sometimes got in the way of his impressive stage performance, as it showed in his rendition of R. Kelly’s I need an Angel.

Even Juliana Kanyomozi of the Kibaluma fame thought he is an angel indeed. Nobody can fault his super reggae-style presentation and the Tusker academy crowd has clearly fallen in love with the Rwandan crooner.

Maureen from Uganda rocked the world with his rendition of "Don’t Fool Around” by Chaka Khan, with an amazing voice and a performance that clearly put her up there among the early favorites.

Kenya’s Debarl won the biggest applause with a calm, cool and collected persona and a baritone voice reminiscent of Stevie Wonder or Barry White as he owned Osborne’s Shine On.

Our own Christian wowed the crowd not only with his sharp wardrobe display but also a surprisingly confident show while doing Seal’s Love Divine complete with the crooner’s husky voice to boot.

Meanwhile, the Tanzanian contingent had a bad day at the office.

Beautiful Illuminata survived the judges’ wrath for her disjointed show, perhaps because her country mate Carol who did not feel like a natural woman while doing a song by the same lyrics joined the sole male Tanzanian Kelvin on the probation list.

The latter’s performance of P Square’s "No One Like You” left a lot to be desired.

Rwanda’s Nina Bola who looks and feels like a diva did not do enough justice to the Shola Ama’s song, "You might need somebody” and now desperately needs somebody to save her from eviction.

That is where Rwandans need to help, especially by voting a hundreds times for the home girl especially considering theta the Kenyans and Tanzanian’s have the numbers to support their nominees on probation.

Nina joins Carol and Kelvin both from Tanzania, and Nganga whose distinctive Kikuyu accent and little appreciation of English will definitely affect his presentation and chances of staying.

My guts tell me either the teachers or pupils will save Nina, but the battle between the two Tanzanians would easily tilt in favor of Nganga staying, although it will be interesting to see the way Ugandans who have no candidate on probation, vote, both inside and outside the house.

As of now, my money is on Debarl (Kenya), Patricia (Tanzania) and Maureen (Uganda) for the final prize.

For Rwanda, my best bet had been on Nina, but Alpha may come out strong and as on Sunday, Christian has already proved that he can throw up surprises any day.
Meanwhile, start voting for Nina!

Ends