It was a trying week of mixed emotions – from agonising over song choice and choosing complementary singing partners, to practising at all hours of the day and night, receiving professional advice from voice coaches, and finally standing in front of the judges on stage in the full glare of television lights.“They don’t call Theatre Week the toughest week on
“They don’t call Theatre Week the toughest week on Idols for nothing,” was judge Gareth Cliff’s sentiment, echoed by the contestants.
The gruelling week started off with a session with Golden Ticket winners “reminding” judges Cliff, Unathi Msengana, Somizi Mhlongo, and Randall Abrahams why they were chosen in the first place. It was after a full day of just the contestant, their voice, and a microphone that they were first trimmed down. Those left standing were divided into 18 groups of three, to work together and deliver a stellar performance. It was tough.
Working with voice coaches and each other, some contestant gave their all on the stage while others either faded, froze, or committed the cardinal Idols SA sin – forgetting the lyrics. Thirty seven eventually made it to the solo round, getting a chance to perform individually for the judges in the battle to make the Top 16.
The public was afforded a chance to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime experience by becoming a member of the live audience. Wild Coast Sun’s theatre was full to capacity with friends, family, fans, and Idols SA hopefuls. They cheered and clapped for the contestants, giving most of them the confidence boost they so desperately needed in this vocal duel of their lives.
The local song choices impressed judge Mhlongo, with contestants proving that magic lives in Mzansi with hits such as Back to the Beach, Imali, Nomvula and others being performed.“This makes me happy and proud because it shows that radio stations are finally giving local talent the recognition they deserve,” said Somizi.
“This makes me happy and proud because it shows that radio stations are finally giving local talent the recognition they deserve,” said Mhlongo.
The live recording was a rousing success that saw judges deliberate all night long to finally make the tough decision of who would get to be in the Top 16 – and ultimately be crowned the Idols SA season 12 winner.