JOSEPH BENJAMIN MAKES A STYLISH COMEBACK WITH STYLE MAGNATE
Joseph Benjamin, an actor and television personality, is making a comeback to the entertainment industry as the host of Style Magnate.
Benjamin came back to the scene to host Showmax’s fashion reality TV program, which aims to change the local fashion scene.
Benjamin has centred his career on showcasing African talent, and he is well-known for his parts in plays like Mr. and Mrs. and Tango With Me.
His work at Style Magnate is a wonderful fit with his goal of fostering domestic creativity in a field he feels is poised for international recognition.
“When they approached me with the idea for the show, I saw that it was something fresh and new, and it actually speaks to fashion and what we represent in Nigeria,” the famed MTN project Fame host shared with The Nation.
“I thought this is a great platform for us to showcase what we have, especially as the fashion industry worldwide is booming. It felt like the perfect time to dive into this in a big way.”
After a rigorous audition process, 20 up-and-coming designers were carefully chosen to compete in the high-stakes fashion and design competition Style Magnate. The 20 designers are competing for a 100 million Naira prize package that includes a cash prize of 10 million Naira, a three-month internship with a leading fashion brand, a loft flat with one bedroom and the esteemed title of The Style Magnate.
“I believe Style Magnate will serve as an entry point for designers who might not otherwise have access to the spotlight,” the multi-talented host explained.
The program attempts to close a gap in the fashion business and has been compared to Benjamin’s earlier work on Project Fame. Style Magnate provides designers with a platform to reach a wider audience, much to the music reality shows that have sparked the careers of Nigerian musicians.
“It’s fresh, it’s the first of its kind,” Benjamin said.
“Fashion is an untapped goldmine here in Nigeria and across Africa. I think we’ve barely scratched the surface of the potential we have.”
It feels like a complete circle moment for the artist to be back in the Nigerian entertainment industry as the host of Style Magnate.
Having made his own name on Project Fame, he’s excited to pass on that legacy by inspiring a new generation of fashion talent. “This show is a great opportunity for budding designers to showcase their creativity to the world,” he said.