Adina The Newest Star Girl Around The Block
Somehow Adina Thembi-Ndamse, winner of the just ended Stars of The Future believed it when she grew up and was told that her father had, before his death, predicted that she would become a celebrity singer.
According to mother, Mrs Mercy Ndamse, when she brought little Adina home after delivery, her father, who died some 15 years ago, looked at her and said Adina was going to be a singer.
That prophecy came true recently at the National Theatre.
Somehow, Adina kept the prophecy of her father in mind and combined with the inspiration derived from the winner of last year's West Africa Idols, Timi, she decided to compete in the Stars of The Future competition. The determination paid off.
Although she considers herself a talented singer, judging from her ability to sing at a young age at church activities, nothing could have prepared Adina enough for the publicity and exposure she is getting at the moment.
Last Friday, Adina shared with Showbiz her experience as the winner of a prize car and an opportunity to record her first album.
“It was a wonderful feeling when my name was mentioned. I didn't believe it.
Not that I didn't deserve it, but I was overwhelmed because having gone through 13 weeks of intense competition, any of the final four stood the chance of becoming the winner.”
Beaming with smiles and obviously elated, the latest star in town told Showbiz that she was already signing autographs for her fans.
“On Monday, just after the finals, I went to the Accra Mall with my cousin. I met a girl who started screaming my name, saying her room mate was crazy about me. She quickly pulled a book and requested for an autograph.
“I didn't know what to write so I scribbled down something and signed. The girl said she needed to prove to her room mate that she indeed saw me.
The whole feeling was wonderful. I never imagined myself signing autographs but it looks like I'll be doing that for a long time.”
For her prize, she took home a Dacia Logan saloon car which she describes as her new love and some cash.
She admitted she is so in love with her car that although she is not driving at the moment, she has enrolled with one of the driving schools in order to put her 'baby' to the test.
Touching on some of her moments in the competition, Adina recalled that “every eviction night was the scariest for me.
My heart beat faster while waiting for the judges to give their comments. However, whenever I won the weeekly Golden Moment award, I felt a respite because that meant no eviction for me,” she said.
Counting the days until the final day arrived, Adina said she thought Anita, the first runner-up was going to emerge the winner.
“I felt that Anita could be the winner and funny enough, she also thought I was a potential winner. It was dependent on votes and the judges.”
Adina, a product of Wesley Girls' High School in Cape Coast said she plans to take music as a full time career.
She also intends to enter the university to educate herself for the challenges ahead.
Though combining music and education can be hectic, Adina appeared prepared to tackle the task head on.
“I'm about to enter Central University and usually with the first year, the work load is not too much, so I think I can manage the two.
“I now have a free recording contract which I need to use efficiently. Just like Obour, I think I can go to school and record as well and I'll be coming out with my single very soon.
That will be followed hopefully with an album to be produced by EKB Records.”
Adina is the younger of two sisters born in Liberia to South African father, the late Dr Richard Sekumbuzo Ndamse and Ghanaian mother, Mrs Mercy Ndamse.
Adina who describes herself as cool and sociable told Showbiz that she easily makes friends and enjoys hanging out with her girlfriends on a quiet day but was quick to add that “what makes me mad is when people talk about me behind my back, knowing very well that what they are saying is not true. Naturally, nobody likes that.”
One thing Adina continued to hammer on was her preparedness to take on the challenges inherent in the music industry and said with God on her side, she would weather the storm, considering her upbringing and the training she received at her school. However, the same cannot be said when asked about her biggest fear.
“I hate snakes, even if it is a dead one being shown on TV, I can't stand it. I'll probably faint when I come near one.
I believe in God, don't get me wrong, but when it comes to snakes, my sister, nothing can change my mind”, she added.
She enjoys fufu with light soup, likes to sing, watch movies and listen to music as hobbies and to show that she meant business, she hinted that she is taking lessons in playing the bass guitar.
To her fans, Adina expressed her gratitude for their unflinching support during the competition and also to Charterhouse, organisers of the programme.
She assured her fans to expect nothing but the best and to watch out for “the new soul touch in our music industry.”
By Hilda Owusu