It was down to the top 10 best singers in the country this past Sunday at idols new home Moreleta Park in Pretoria. After a remarkable girls’ performance the previous week, one would have expected weaves to be pulled from heads and butts kicked. In a “Cheesy” theme chosen by the judges, it looked like the boys upped their ante.
Wildly popular contestant Brenden kicked off the show with “You sexy thing”. Proving again that he isn’t just a pretty-face, Brenden performed the H out of the song and got a standing ovation in the auditirium. He is still the guy to beat and looking at his current social-media fan-base, other contestants will need a lot of strength to go neck-to-neck with him.
Durbanite Christalene took on Celine Dion’s “Because you loved me”. This was a big song that required a big delivery and Chrystalene disappointed. It was flat and felt like first attempt rehearsal.
Innocent tackled a Chris De Burgh ballad “Lady in red”. He flipped the original arrangement into his own piano interpretation and he put a new stamp to that song. Innocent isn’t the most popular among the boys but his performance was good enough to let him stay for another week.
Benjamin interpreted Bryan Adams’ “Everything I do”. Although it sounded terrible there were good parts of it and the judges seemed to have loved it. Was it enough for him to go through? I think he will need a lot of votes for that…
Ever-sexy Cape Townian Zoe Zana went with Rick Anstey’s “Never Gonna Give You Up”. Zoe doesn’t have one of the best voices of the 10 but she definitely has the look and attitude of an idol. She has so much character and fun in her. She deserves votes. Do I think she’ll survive the Top 10? She might be in the bottom 3 but she definitely will.
The Air Supply ballad “All Out of Love” had never sounded so good. Sonke took on this and slayed every note. This is a vocal song and Sonke was at the right place at the right time with this one. He is one to watch out for, a serious dark horse. I see him crossing the Top 5 mark if he continues this way.
Pretty Top Gun “Take My Breath Away” was Midrand’s Tumi’s downfall. After a mind-blowing performance in the Top 10, she raised the bar so high for herself she didn’t take any judge’s breath away. Her vocals were clear, but the song is dull and Tumi didn’t really put some vibey spice into it. It fell flat and felt like a mutter.
Bunny is a GREAT singer. She is one contestant who’d go far simply because she can sing ANYTHING. Her interpretation of Barry White classic “You’re the first, the last, my everything” was everything. This is one contestant who would have still made it without idols. She will definitely be there next week, the week after next and the week after next.
Musa has a lot of fans. The auditorium literally was abuzz with people wearing T-shirts signed #TeamMusa. After his rendition of Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing” I could tell most ladies were healed, they just couldn’t stop screaming. Musa is a tough one to beat considering his popularity.
Christina from PE bravely went with “Walking On Sunshine” from Katrina and the Waves to which she was told never to choose a song like that in future by judge Gareth Cliff. Christina was sure dancing on sunshine in small back shorts but were the fans walking and dancing with her?
Catch the nail-biting Live Results Show tomorrow at 19:30 on Mnet and Mzansi Magic. Voting closes at 22:00 tonight. Have you voted for your favourite?
@narekekana