Khaya wins Idols

Congratulations to 25-year-old Khaya Mthethwa. The Durban resident was named as the new South African Idol a couple of hours ago. It was pretty much a foregone conclusion that he would win, but I think it’s a great thing. He’s talented and the rumour has it, he is a super talented songwriter. So expect magic from Mr. Mthethwa. I’m going out on a limb here, but I’ll go as far as to say he might just be the most successful winner we’ve had to date. Speaking of winning, check out the list of prizes he walked away with:

- a recording contract with Universal Music South Africa

- R250 000 from Samsung, plus R50 000 worth of Samsung products including a LED TV, a printer, a laptop and a camera

- R48 000 airtime and 24 GIGS of data from Vodacom

- R250 000 cash from KFC

- a Ford Fiesta 1.6 Titanium

- a R30 000 fashion voucher from Truworths

- R50 000 voucher for musical equipment from Yamaha

- plus a Yamaha Waverunner VX700S jet-skit and trailer

- and a precision-crafted Shure UHF-R Premium wireless microphone system and a PSM®900 personal monitor system.

The show is done, but this is where it all really begins. I think it’s important to keep track of these artists after the competition, so I am going to do my bit in doing just that. Watch this space…

Idols 8: Khaya versus Melissa

This season of South African Idol has been one of the best yet. The talent has been great, but there can only be one. On Tuesday evening we find out who between Khaya Mthethwa and Melissa Allison is named as the new South African Idol. The obvious assumption is that Khaya will win. I was in the recording on Friday night and judging by the reactions there, it’s Khaya’s title. But stranger things have happened. While people are sharing their obvious favourite on the social networks, it’s votes that count and so don’t count Melissa out of this.

For me, he is the better singer of the two, but that isn’t to say that Melissa wont have a career in music. In fact, I think she is going to do extremely well if she doesn’t win. It’s so tight, so close. Voting lines are still open and will be open until 10pm tomorrow night. Do your bit… You don’t have a reason to moan if you don’t vote. I’m just saying.

Good luck to both of them. I’ll be at Tuesday’s announcement, so stay tuned for more on this.

 

 

Idols Top 10

The Idols Top 10 was announced during last night’s live broadcast from the Soweto Theatre, which featured performances from Zahara, Zakes Bantwini and Arno Carstens. In case you missed it here are the Idols Top 10:

Chloe Kiley (24) from Cape Town
Dominic Neill (20) from Johannesburg
Khaya Mthethwa (25) from Durban
Melissa Allison (23) from Port Elizabeth
Monde Msutwana (30) from Pretoria
Nosipho Mngomezulu (22) from Shoshanguve
Obakeng Ramaboa (26) from Munsieville
Shekhinah “Sheki” Donnell (17) from Durban
Simphiwe Gwegwe (23) from Port Nolloth
Tshidi Tenyane (28) from Thokoza

I predicted that Dumi, Jean, Matt and Treasure would go but as for the rest, I had no idea who would stay and who would go. Needless to say I’m happy with this bunch of singers. I think South African voters got it right and I really do believe this is the strongest group we’ve had in a long time.

Related articles

• Idols SA – top 18 announced (jasonvonberg.wordpress.com)
• Jessica Sanchez’s big stage “Idol” homecoming (utsandiego.com)

Idols SA – top 18 announced

The new season of South African Idols is in full swing. The top 18 contestants were named during tonight’s dramatic final judgement and you can see the list below. I must just say that this is a very strong bunch of contestants and for the first time in a long time I’m really excited about this season. They’re really strong and I think we’re in for a treat in the next couple of weeks.

Candy Mosoma (29) from Pretoria

Chloe Kiley (23) from Cape Town

Dominic Neill (19) from Johannesburg

Dumi Masilela (23) from Kempton Park

Jean Huisman (20) from Stellenbosch

Khaya Mthethwa (25) from Durban

Maryke Buffel (22) from Paarl

Matthew Sampson (21) from Cape Town

Melissa Alison (23) from Port Elizabeth

Monde Msutwana (30) from Pretoria

Nosipho Mngomezulu (21) from Soshanguve

Obakeng Ramaboa (26) from Munciville

Shekhinah Donnell (17) from Durban

Sihle Ndaba (22) from Ermelo

Simphiwe Gwegwe (23) from Port Nolloth

Thabisa Mhlakulwana (29) from Port Elizabeth

Treasure Mushwana (20) from Tzaneen

Tshidi Tenyane (28) from Thokoza

American Idol interviews

Last week the new American Idol was crowned. If you’ve been hiding under a rock, the winner is Phillip Phillips, the guy who most people thought would win. While I dig him and I think he will be a great recording artist in the years to come, I was secretly hoping for a Joshua Ledet and Jessica Sanchez finale, but alas that wasn’t meant to be. I’m sure both will get record deals and will be just as successful, if not more so, than Phillips. We’ll have to wait and see.

So on Thursday I participated in a conference call with Phillips and Sanchez. It’s hard to try and get your questions asked, especially when you’re competing with the likes of Us Weekly, People Magazine, AP, Reuters, the LA Times and the New York Post to mention a few, but practice makes perfect. I’ve put together snippets from the 30 minute-long chats each. Have a listen below:

Interview with Phillip Phillips
Interview with Jessica Sanchez

Phillip Phillips wins American Idol

Phillip Phillips is the new American Idol. He was announced as the winner during the two hour live finale from the Nokia Theatre in down town Los Angeles.

The star-studded live performance had the audience up on their feet on more than one occasion. Rihanna performed her latest single Where Have You Been on the stage. This is the latest single off her new album Talk That Talk, which is such a lekker track.

Jennifer “JLo” Lopez also performed tonight. She will be hitting the road soon to promote and perform tracks from her LOVE album, as well as many other songs from her long, illustrious and very successful career. This has been a good season for JLO. She was named the most beautiful and the most powerful celebrity in the world. Steven Tyler has been a little subdued this year but that doesn’t mean his stage presence is gone. His performance alongside the rest of his Aerosmith band mates was rocking, as to be expected.

Also on the stage tonight, Jordin Sparks (who has had a really good week), the legendary Neil Diamond and Reba McEntire, Fantasia Barrino and  CCR’s John Fogerty. A great performance that is a must is the one between Jessica Sanchez and Jennifer Holliday. The two performed “And I Am Telling You” and oh my word was it good. The soulful and the petit divas show off their amazing vocal abilities and that performance scored them a standing ovation. AMAZING!!!

The top 12 guys performed a medley of Bee Gees songs as part of a tribute to the late Robin Gibb, who died at the weekend. They performed tracks like To Love Somebody and How Deep Is Your Love. It’s nice to see that the Idol bosses jumped on this. The news broke too close to the live broadcast of the Billboard Music Awards, so there wasn’t a musical tribute. So well done to the AI bosses.

Two other highlights to watch out for:

- The Phonebook song as performed by this year’s contestants. This was to honour Randy’s statement, “Dude you can sing the phonebook”. It was classic, loved it.

- The wedding proposal. Season 5 finalists Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young were caleld to the stage by host Ryan Seacrest. Little did we know, it was because Young was about to propose to his Idols sweetheart. Naturally she said yes. Very cute this was.

This is the performance in my opinion that won it for Phillip. It’s his debut single Home:

It’s very Mumford & Sons- ish… Love it, especially the marching band vibe too!

American Idol – Phillip vs Jessica

The 11th season of the hugely popular reality show, American Idol is drawing to a close. The two-part finale is set to take place at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles tonight and tomorrow night with 16-year-old Jessica Sanchez taking on Phillip Phillips in the finale. The two will have to bring more than just their A-games tonight, as their final performances will be judged by none other than the voters at home.

If we look at the last few years, Phillip has more of an advantage over Jessica in that the voting demographic is largely a female teenage audience, but stranger things have happened. You’ll recall Sanchez was voted out during the top 10, but the judges decided without any hesitation to use their one save on her. She then went on to wow not just the judges week after week, but also the viewers at home. So at this point it’s anyone’s to win.

I like Phillip and I think he is set either way, but I just feel like it is time for a female winner again and there isn’t anyone better than Sanchez. This young lady has huge pipes and a very bright future ahead of her. Weigh in. Who do you think will win?

 

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I’m going to be up again, tweeting and blogging so do join me!

The countdown to Idols is on

Today I find myself at the Sun City complex out in the North West Province. The reason for my visit it to catch a glimpse of this year’s talent in the hit singing show Idols.  The field has been narrowed down from thousands of hopefuls to just a handful today and while I wont be able to share too much of what happens until you all see it on TV, I’m sure I can sneak a few pics of the judges and possibly some of the hopefuls who are in the running to be the new Idol.

This year I’m hoping to see a lot more soulful singers and I’ll put it out there, I think it’s time we have a female winner again. The boy’s club is cool and they’ve all done well in their respective days since Idols, but it’s time for a lady to win I feel. Look it’s based on votes and may the best person win, but this is just what I’m hoping will transpire. I’ve heard a few murmurs since I’ve been here of some of the interesting personalities you’ll get to see in this season… and I don’t mean the contestants or the judges, I mean a few TV personalities who you will love. Stay tuned, more to follow…

UPDATE:

The contestants I saw performing yesterday were great. They’re a very soulful bunch this year and I’m glad to see that. I don’t know who went through though, I guess we’ll just have to wait and see when the show airs on M-Net and Mzansi Magic this June. What I can say is that there are a few familiar faces (seasons gone by) that are there. If you watched another reality show a few years back on M-Net, you might recognise two of the young ladies too. There’s a soccer player turned singer who will get a lot of ladies voting no doubt and then there are a few other interesting characters too. It’s going to be a great season no doubt!

Proverb to co-produce Idols

One of the most likeable and most talented guys in the South African entertainment industry has to be Proverb. He’s a rapper, a presenter turned host, a DJ, a father, husband. Now he’s adding the title of co-producer to his already long list of successes.

It was announced yesterday that the Idols host would be co-producing this season of hit show. He’ll be working alongside Gavin Wratten, starting this weekend. Being in the industry for over 12 years now, this is a natural progression for the star. He knows what works on screen, so why not be involved in the development of several ideas behind the scenes too? I think this, he will be great. I have a lot of respect for Gavin Wratten as a director and now for these two to be teaming up; I think we’re in for a treat.

If you have what it takes to be the next South African Idols, then diarise these audition dates:

Jozi Auditions
Date: Saturday 4th February
Venue: Sandton Convention Centre

Durban Auditions
Date: Saturday 11th February
Venue: Ushaka Marine World

Cape Town Auditions
Date: Saturday 18th February
Venue: Grand West Entertainment center

Soweto Auditions
Date: Saturday 25th February
Venue: Walter Sisulu Hall, Kliptown

Be sure to check out the official site for more deets on the show.

Another year, another Idols

It’s 2012 and while the Mayans might have predicted the end of the world as we know it come 21 December, one things for certain. There will be a new (and last) Idols winner come that very fateful day. Yes, it is true. South African Idols is returning to our screens in July/ August of this year. This will be the eighth season of the hit show.

Are you ready? Are you keen to show off your talent? And by talent, I’m directing this at those who are able to actually hold a tune/ sing on key. Well if that is the case then be sure to diarise these audition dates:

·        Johannesburg: Sandton Convention Centre – Saturday, 4 February

·        Durban: Ushaka Marine World – Saturday, 11 February

·        Cape Town: Grandwest Entertainment World – Saturday, 18 February

·        Kliptown, Soweto: Walter Sisulu Square – Saturday, 25 February

 

Good luck to those of you who are entering. If the world end, makes sure the world knows who you are before then