By By: Staff Writer
A growing dispute has emerged between winners of the Vision of Liberia Talent Hunt 2025 and the event’s organizers, as supporters insist that prizes publicly announced and celebrated must be paid in full, rather than partially restructured into branding or project support.
Supporters and winners in the first edition of the competition since it establishment, including rising star Cool-Boy Nic, Wekol wekol and Mercy Zulu, say were crowned on stage, publicly recognized, and promoted as winners—creating a clear public expectation that the full prizes announced would be honored accordingly.
According to the some, thousands of dollars were spent on ticket purchases and online voting throughout the competition, strengthening their belief that the prizes were fixed commitments rather than conditional arrangements. They argue that winners should receive 100 percent of their prizes in cash, without deductions or reallocations.
Following the end of the competition, first winner received a symbolic prize of $LR400,000 and promised of international tour, 1st Runner Up $LR270,000 and 2nd Runner Up $LR150,000
Concerns over the matter were raised both online and during several in-person engagements with the organizers, with supporters describing the process as unclear and inconsistent. They claim repeated meetings failed to produce a mutual understanding on how prizes would be paid.
In public comments, supporters rejected proposals to divide the prizes into cash and marketing or branding support, stressing that such restructuring was never clearly communicated before or during the competition. “Honor your winners. Honor your word,” one of the fan said in an online post directed at the incident, warning that silence and delays undermine trust in the platform.
Supporters of Mercy Zulu went further, issuing a 72-hour ultimatum for the full prize to be presented, warning that legal action would follow if their demand is not met. They framed their position as a defense of young Liberian talent and consumer fairness.
In response, the Director of the Vision of Liberia Talent Hunt 2025 event Sagacious A. Gorlortor explained that the competition operates under a contractual framework common to reality-style talent shows. He stated that winners are expected to sign a final contract that outlines prize distribution and post-win obligations.
According to him, the prize structure allocates 50 percent in direct cash and 50 percent toward branding, marketing, and project development, with winners serving as ambassadors for one year. He said this approach is intended to ensure long-term career growth rather than immediate cash-only payouts.
The director acknowledged, however, that while winners were informed they would sign post-competition contracts and serve as ambassadors, the exact breakdown of prize payments may not have been fully detailed at the outset of the competition.
He further stated that delays in disbursement stem from some winners declining to sign the final contract, insisting instead on full cash payments. Without signed agreements, he said, the organization is unable to proceed with payments.
Gorlortor also cited alleged breaches of contractual rules by some contestants, including public statements that he says damaged the brand, adding that these actions further complicated negotiations.
Despite the standoff, the organizers maintain that they remain open to dialogue and documentation review, while supporters insist their demand remains unchanged: full payment of prizes as announced.
As the matter continues to unfold publicly, the dispute has sparked a wider conversation about transparency, contract clarity, and the protection of young talents within Liberia’s growing entertainment industry.
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