Last night I found myself torn between Idols and Shine so it was a battle of remote and since we are blessed to have all these singing reality shows, I took it upon myself to update you on SHINE since the other ‘singing competition’ has been having all the attention (#deathby Welfare TV). Anyway here is what went down on the first episode of Shine!
Last night second season of SHINE kicked off in city of Tshwane in Mamelodi. Viewers were taken into the amazing scenery of Pretoria with all its remarkable yet iconic building such as the infamous Union Building. However, apart from the beauty that is Pretoria, viewers got to meet our judges for this season of SHINE. Liesl Penneken from the girl group Jamali is the rose amongst the thorns that are an actor Tshepo Maseko and a singer from an all-male award winning gospel group Redeemed.
Viewers also got to meet our host for this season Fezile Makhanya who was accompanied by The SHINE presenter search winner Lolo Lekgoane. As viewers got to see for themselves, this year, vocals alone is not enough to convince the judges. Liesl said: ‘we want to shift away from the traditional gospel of people standing somewhere by the river or by the bush with back-up singers in the behind’. Presentation, eloquence, poise and vocals should form complete package of the ultimate SHINE star. Tshepo also added that he was looking for someone with proper presentation and will be able to engage with them as the judges and the viewers at home.
Talent in Mamelodi was amazing. A 14 year old Thabo blew the judges away with his rendition of the old hymn ‘hayo ja tshwanang le wena’ for which the judges unanimously agreed to put him to the next round. Another amazing talent was dished by the 17 years old Ndumiso whose voice made one of the judges (Tshepo) shed a tear as her vocal ability was just too incredible for a 17 year old.
However, funny auditions also sent judges to shed a few tears. One such was a hopeful whose rendition of Ï am happy today’ didn’t show any signs of happiness in it. Another was a hopeful by the name of Lisa Fischer who couldn’t sing to save her and to top it all didn’t know the lyrics all time nursery rhyme –alpha and Omega’- It was hilarious.
Next week SHINE is in Soweto as the judges continue to search the next Shine star. Did you guys watch it? What do you think of the Show and the judges? Let’s talk.