I will not leave my boyfriend because of $25,000 – Tecno Own the Stage winner

– Shapeera Nnenna Makepace is the winner of the maiden edition of the Tecno Own the Stage competition. 

– The budding singer had unsuccessfully auditioned for and taken part in several music competitions prior to winning this one. 

– The ‘humble teacher’ never expected to win, believing her competitor, Nandy would take the $25,000 home instead.

After 12 episodes, the first ever karaoke competition in Africa, Tecno Own Tthe Stage finally came to an end on Sunday, February 7, 2016, with Nigeria’s Shapeera Nnena Makepeace walking home with the ultimate prize of $25,000, a recording deal and session with her favourite music star and a Phantom 5 Tecno phone.

The excited Shapeera spoke to Naij.com on her surprise at her win and why she would remain faithful to her boyfriend despite becoming an instant millionaire.

READ ALSO: 29-year-old teacher wins the the first karaoke show in Nigeria

How do you feel?

I can’t believe it I feel great, humbled privileged. I’m just so excited. I can’t believe it. I just thank God that he brought me this far and made me the winner. He singled me out of the crowd of great singers and stood me out. It’s awesome, it’s amazing.

Were you surprised at your win?

Yes I was. Nandy is very good. She was always a threat. I wonder how she didn’t emerge the winner. She’s got stage presence that I was so scared of. But I think what worked for me was what the vocal coaches taught us. They said we should have confidence no matter how nervous we were on stage. I managed to build on my confidence.

Is Shaapera your real name and which state are you from?

Yes, Shaapera is my real name. I’m from Benue state, I’m a Tiv girl, a positive girl. I chose it as my stage name.

You just won a karaoke competition. Do you think you have what it takes to be an all-round singer instead of just a karaoke champion?

Aside from it being a karaoke competition, we had to perform and were judged for our vocals and performances. So aside from the karaoke competition, I can sing, perform and I write my own songs.

When did you started doing music?

I started in the university, Benue State University to be precise. A friend of mine who believed in me put on some instrumental beats, went to take his bath and returned to find me rapping on it – I started as a rapper actually – so, he was like, I had to perform with him at a show he was having that night. That was how the journey started for me. I became a university celebrity overnight.

Are you through with your first degree?

Yes, I’m done with schooling, I have served, I’m working.  In fact, I’m a teacher – a humble teacher for that matter.

READ ALSO: Fun moments at Tecno Own the Stage grand finale (photos)

So how did a teacher get to know about Tecno Own the Stage?

It was a friend, Ovie, he kept on disturbing about this upcoming Tecno competition, urging me to go for it. I had practically given up on competitions. Anytime I go, I don’t get to go too far so I was like maybe I don’t have what it takes. He kept on urging me to attend. Even on the day I was to audition, I was sleeping. He just called to tell me he was at the venue and I should start coming now. I had to rush there unprepared. I never believed I was going to be picked because what I heard was they are going to pick five people out of the whole crowd of Nigerians there. I was just so privileged to have been picked.

You said you’ve had disappointments at competitions, How many have you been part of prior to this?

I have been at MTN Project Fame countless times, the Nigerian Idol twice, I was at Nokia First Chance competition when I first got to Lagos but I didn’t go far, I was kicked out.

What is your plan for your huge prize considering the dollar exchange rate in the market right now?

First thing why I came into the competition was to get money and sing but now I’m gonna keep that money because I’ve also got a free record deal, that is a huge privilege for me. Aside from that I’m gonna work with stars, that is another big plus for me. So, I’m gonna keep the money then invest it. I don’t believe in spending it on buying cars, land, or a house. Let me keep it first and think of what to invest it on so it grows. And from growing, I can take its seed when it becomes very big to start thinking of buying a car for my daddy. I have something I want to buy for him too, that one is in my heart anyway and my mama. I won this for my parents, loved ones and everyone that voted.

Do you have a boyfriend and if yes was he in support of this?

Yes, he is happy. He has been rooting for me and he said he was gonna watch this final episode live.

Now that you have the money, are you going to leave him any time soon?

He was there for me before I even won the money, why should I leave him? He knew me before I even became something so I’ve got to reason to leave him. The money made was all for him and for us.

READ ALSO: Africa’s biggest karaoke show gets hotter, as Falz the bad guy performs (Photos)

Watch Shapeera perform in the video below:

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