Ama K, Jay Foley and Benny Blanco – Who hosts Icons: Diva Edition?

A nationwide audition process for Icons: Divas Edition, a hot new TV reality show that aims to create Ghana and Africa’s first super girl-group has been completed with some 75 young and talented ladies qualifying for the next stage.

35 of them will soon be selected for boot camp and the number would drop further as only 21 finalists will graduate into the main show.  They would then be divided into 7 groups of three girls that would battle it out for the ultimate prize including GHC 20,000 cash to each member of the winning group; a 4-wheel drive vehicle for the group; and a recording contract for the Group with Paradise Entertainment and a management deal with Duke Banson.

As the countdown to the commencement of this innovative TV reality show continues, the speculations surrounding who would be hosting the show is equally exciting.  Vodafone and Storm 360, the producers of the show remain tight-lipped about the host for the show, but that shouldn’t stop us from guessing. Based on some few observations that I have made in the build-up so far I can safely narrow the selection to about 3 potential hosts.

Going with the ‘diva’ theme and the fact that so far Vodafone has kept its British influences very much alive, perhaps one of the obvious choices for a host would be UK-trained  and experienced broadcaster, Ama K Abebrese.  Ama has been on the quiet for a while since moving back to Ghana as far as hosting of shows is concerned. She is currently heading the local productions department of Viasat 1; and can be seen in the lead role for the movie, ‘Sinking Sands’.  Hosting Icons may very well be her comeback move!

Jay Foley’s hosting skills cannot be denied in anyway; from hosting 4syte TV to doing countless voiceovers, he is a familiar face and voice in Ghana.  Since Jay was the host for the official launch of Icons: Divas Edition at the Golden Tulip Hotel last year, it is perhaps not farfetched to consider him as a potential host for the main show, although his British influence is evidently missing.

Speaking of British influences brings me to my last speculation. Benny Blanco certainly has the British influence and has proven since his return to Ghana that he is capable of hosting shows either on stage, radio or TV.  He hosted the Ghana Fashion Weekend in 2009 and has a program on X FM. Although Benny’s presentation skills  still remains largely unknown to the greater  percentage of Ghanaians, most people can connect his face to some TV commercials and from the movie, ‘6 Hours to Christmas’. Having him host Icons would certainly be breath of fresh air for viewers who are tired of seeing the same old faces all the time. He would also be an interesting mix amongst the all-female contestants, as he has been known to be a bit of a ladies’ man!

To find out if any of these people would make the cut, tune in on Sunday, February 13, when the first episode of Icons: Divas Edition airs on TV. The first episode would show highlights from the audition process and the subsequent two episodes would be dedicated to boot camp. The first live performance show will air on Sunday, March 6. The TV series is expected to showcase brilliant undiscovered talent while giving viewers all the personalities, drama, highs and lows that make for a great reality show.

Icons: Divas Edition will air on major TV stations in Ghana and on pan-African cable networks. TV3 has the prime spot telecast at 8.00pm with Net 2, Multi TV, Crystal TV, ETV and GTV and Metro TV (yet to be confirmed) joining in at 8.30 each Sunday evening.