In the wake of #TheVoiceNigeria, this is why reality television shows are here to stay

Reality television sucks.

Everybody knows this. Everybody, except of course, the millions of viewers who stay glued to their television or mobile sets obsessing over the latest Kardashian/Jenner family drama, the next feverish eviction in yet another Big Brother show, or the sexual lives of the series of young nubile bodies that appear on every season of The Bachelor(ette).

Music and singing competitions have their own special appeal, evident on a worldwide scale since Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini first divided America back in 2002. The contestants of the inaugural season of American Idol conjured up about 110million votes; more votes than the total tally of the presidential election of 2000. American Idol is the stateside update of the British Pop Idol format, itself borrowed from the New Zealand singing competition, Popstars.

When it comes to singing competitions, Nigerians have had more than their fair share, usually sponsored by telecom or giant beverage companies. The sole season of Idols West Africa that introduced Timi Dakolo and Omawumi among other performers remains a high point. Others are Globacom’s Naija Sings, Naija’s Got Talent, Peak Talent Hunt, Nigerian Idol, and the current flavour of the month, The Voice, sponsored by Airtel.

At the very least, these talent shows provide hugely entertaining spectacles that make for perfect water cooler moments. By giving audiences the opportunity through their votes, to choose who leaves or remains in competition week after week, the shows embrace the spirit of inclusivity and give the fans a sense of investment; both in the production and in the numerous contestants.

Thus the most successful reality television competitors are not usually the most talented or most disciplined, but those who for one reason or the other, manage to strike a chord with the voters. Efe Michel Ejeba who won the latest season of Big Brother Naija powered through on the back of his non-threatening grass-to-grace shtick. In a show where personality is everything, Efe Ejeba managed to appeal to that part of Nigerians desperately rooting for the underdog. A vote for him represented a new Nigerian dream where fortunes can be changed overnight thanks to relentless prayer and some good luck.

An under-appreciated fall out of reality show fever is the opportunities afforded many ordinary citizens to tell their stories to a wider audience. All kinds of people have tried their luck at various reality shows and different kinds of personal narratives have been unearthed in the process. Boy next door types, ice queens, sociopaths, former crack babies – name it and they have been on television.

But every once in a while, a narrative emerges that restores faith in our collective humanity and leaves those lucky enough to witness it in real time heartbroken and shattered, yet inspired and filled with hope.

This year such a moment presented itself at the audition stage of the 12th season of the America’s Got Talent reality show hosted on NBC. 26-year old Nigerian, Kechi Okwuchi, one of only two survivors of the 2005 Sosoliso plane crash that killed 107 people including 60 of her classmates from the prestigious Loyola Jesuit College in Abuja made an appearance on the show.

In order to get a fighting chance at living, Okwuchi’s parents ferried her to the States where she underwent a battery of surgeries, physiotherapy and hospital visits. When she appeared on stage, scars and contractures visible for all to see, and gave a brief summary of her life so far, it was to collective cheers of the indomitable spirit of a person who has refused to be overwhelmed by negatives.

Okwuchi started her audition with a stunning rendition of Ed Sheeran’s Grammy-winning song, Thinking of You, and time stood still for some minutes. Her singing and the depth of her journey, though undecipherable by many, had awakened not just the primary American audience, but persons the world over to the joy of this miracle. At the end, even the perpetually unimpressed Simon Cowell surrendered to a standing ovation.

This remarkable run continued and delivered Okwuchi to the finals where she finished sixth. But it wasn’t even about her winning at the end, although that would have been super. By stepping forward and daring to compete, with her song choices, by sharing her scars and pain and triumph with the world, Okwuchi brings hope to anyone who has or will ever go through difficulty.

This, in effect, is the magic and eternal lure of these reality shows. Sometimes they do more than entertain. They energise and encourage and elevate. As long as there are people in the world who suffer, there will always be room for inspiration. In that regard, there is no such thing as too much.

Wilfred Okiche is a medic, reader, writer, film/music critic and occasional ruffler of feathers. His writing has appeared extensively in platforms like YNaija.com and 360nobs.com. He has provided editorial assistance to the UK Guardian and has had his work published in African Arguments and City Press. Okiche also appears on the culture television show, Africana Literati. He participated in the 2017 Durban International Film Festival as part of the Talents Durban. He tweets from @drwill20.