Two of the best performers in the Glo X Factor singing reality TV show were spared blushes over the weekend as they were saved from eviction by the show judges. It was a fascinating drama as Vicky and SmoothBoiz, who are popular with fans, nearly got evicted from the world’s biggest singing reality TV show for making the bottom two when the results of the first voting in the show were announced.

The audience at Dream Studio, Ikeja, Lagos, were certainly not prepared for what was to follow. There was palpable excitement as show host, Tools, prepared to announce the result. But the excitement quickly gave way. A hush descended on the hall as Tools, announced: “the two acts at the bottom having secured the least votes are Vicky and SmoothBoiz.”

If the audience thought that Tools was up to some game and that she would quickly reverse herself and say the two contestants had actually polled the most votes, the flicker of hope faded as she proceeded to request the rest of the contestants, Eshum, Pheel, Ankara Boi, Princess Pat, DJ Switch, Symphony and DNA to leave the stage to go and prepare for their performance show.

“No ooo!, no oo!, how?, Vicky? SmoothBoiz? Bottom two? Not possible, the two are the best singers on the show!” many members of the audience chorused when it dawned on them that indeed their beloved Vicky and SmoothBoiz were staring exit in the face. Their reaction was, indeed, understandable. The two acts had put up scintillating performances that earned them a standing ovation from the audience and judges at last week’s show, and nobody imagined they would not top the voting charts.

The two contestants were no less surprised. “I am so shocked, I am surprised, but it is all good,” Vicky said as she fought to hold back her emotions. Victor of SmoothBoiz also said, “I can’t explain what happened, I am really surprised.”

Toolz went on to announce that both acts would sing for survival so that the judges could determine which of the two would go home. Again, the two delivered fabulous performances which left the audience applauding on their feet.

First to deliver his verdict was Reggie Rockstone, who incidentally mentors the SmoothBoiz. “First of all, I want to thank God for the two of you. You both have brought it on. Now, it is really a hard one for me to make this decision. SmoothBoiz are my boys and I am extremely proud of their performance. Vicky I love you. And I say Vicky you are not going home,” the father of hiplife music declared. It was a surprise as many in the audience expected him to go with his ‘mentees’, the SmoothBoiz.

Next was Onyeka Onwenu. “I don’t know what happened, why the two of you are here in the bottom two. Both acts are exceptionally good. I know West Africans don’t want Vicky out of this competition, so I ask all of you here and those watching at home to put your vote where your mouth is,” she stated. Turning to SmoothBoiz, she said, “SmoothBoiz, you are smoooooooth. I believe West Africans don’t want you to go home either. So I am not going to vote for anybody to go home. The two should remain the in the competition.”

Focus shifted to the third judge, MI. “I don’t understand what happened. I don’t know why the two acts made the bottom two. From the reaction of the crowd, it is obvious they don’t want the two to go. I am going with Onyeka. I think both deserve to be in the competition. I am not voting,” the rapper declared.

With their verdicts, it was decided that there would be no eviction and that the two should join the rest seven for the performance show of the day. The announcement was greeted with a thunderous applause from the audience.

Speaking afterwards, a relieved Vicky said, “I thank God, the judges and my fans for keeping me in the competition. On my part, I will give my best and pray that people’s hearts will be touched to vote for me.”

Similarly, the leader of SmoothBoiz, Victor, said he and his group were elated to still be in the competition: “We are very excited the way things turned around for our good. Even though we thought we gave our best last week and didn’t expect to be in the bottom two, we are glad we have come this far. To make Top 9 out of several thousands of people that came for the auditions is quite some achievement. The Glo X Factor platform has indeed made us explode.”

True to their word, Vicky and SmoothBoiz had another beautiful rendition along with the other seven contestants, Eshum, Ankara Boi, Pheel, Princess Pat, DJ Switch, DNA Twins and Symphony.