Khaya Mthethwa, Elvis Blue, Mark Haze, Lloyd Cele, Amanda Black and Shekinah.
Former Idols who we know now, years after they were on the show.
Season 18's finalists were announced in a two-hour episode on Sunday evening (21 August), as a Top 12 instead of the usual Top 16, with hovering question marks:
Does Idols still have the power to create musical careers for some of its contestants?
Will we know any of the finalists in three years' time?
The future will reveal the answer.
Here's a close-up on each of them:
Sthembiso "CeeJay" Ntshangase
Age: 24
From: Stanger
Third time lucky. This saying applies to Ceejay, the musician who didn’t receive a Golden Ticket in Season 16 before narrowly missing out on a place in the Top 16 during Season 17.
Growing up in a musical family - his parents were in a band together - he spends his time singing, making beats on his computer and playing instruments.
Whether or not he wins the ultimate prize, he’s excited to work with and learn from music professionals and to gain exposure for his talent during his time on Idols.
Hope Mkhwanazi
Age: 23
Location: Pretoria
Having started singing at the age of five and participated in many school plays, Hope says joining the Midlands Youth Choir opened a new avenue of what music could sound like.
After years of thinking about entering Idols, Hope decided that now was the perfect time. “I wasn’t ready earlier than this,” she says, having just finished studying musical theatre at Tshwane University of Technology.
She says viewers can expect soul - and more - from her musical performances: “I know that the way I perform and translate music to people will leave a beautiful mark.”
Kabelo Makhetha
Age: 24
Location: Pietermaritzburg
Kabelo is no stranger to the Idols stage, having previously entered Season 16. After being eliminated during the group stages, he says he is back to prove a point!
His musical journey began at 15 when he learned how to play the guitar and keyboard through YouTube videos with his twin brother.
During the live shows, he hopes to beat the nerves and articulate the emotions of each song without holding back. “I also want to connect with the crowd. My aim is to give it my all every Sunday... and to have fun, too.”
Lerato Matsabu
Age: 27
Location: Johannesburg
It’s been several years since Lerato first entered Idols, and after a period of losing confidence in her capabilities as a singer, she is back with a bang.
“This year, I had the courage and bravery to enter again,” she says. She has found her second time on
Idols to be a fun process that she’s grateful for.
What does she hope to achieve with Idols? “I want to inspire people to know that you shouldn’t let your dreams die. Don’t give up on your dreams. Even if it takes forever, it can actually happen for you one day.”
Mpilwenhle Mokopu
Age: 23
Location: Johannesburg
After spending years honing her sound and gaining more understanding of herself as a musician, Mpilwenhle felt that now was finally the time to enter Idols.
Her Idols journey so far has been quite the experience. “It’s taught me to always be prepared for anything. You have to bring your A-game. It’s showing us flames, but it’s the flames that I like,” she laughs.
While she’s nervous about the live performances, she’s more thrilled than anything. “I am excited to get on the stage, pour my heart out and leave it on the stage.”
Nandi Moncho
Age: 21
Location: Johannesburg
“Music is my life. It is a part of me,” says Nandi of her passion. Her love of music began at an early age, thanks to her musical hero - her father - the late Shaluza Max Mntambo, who was also a musician.
It was through spending time with him in the studio that she initially found an appreciation for the art.
Nandi is no stranger to the stage as she has been performing from a young age as part of her church choir, then later on at the Market Theatre.
Describing herself as a fearless performer, she says viewers can expect to see “something different” when she takes the stage.
Noxolo Mthethwa
Age: 25
Location: Durban
Noxolo began singing at the age of five, playing music with her dad, and she cemented her relationship with music through church.
Humbled to have reached the Top 12, she says she believes she has a gift that the world will finally get to see. She is most excited about the upcoming live performances and hopes the audience will get to connect with her.
Noxolo says viewers can expect her live performances to be unique, rare and spiritual.
Nozi Sibiya
Age: 27
Location: Durban
Nozi first entered Idols in 2016 but did not make it beyond the first cut. This year she is back on a mission and is looking forward to proving her talent.
Nozi says viewers can expect “joy and excellence” when she hits the stage. She plans to set the stage alight, and hopes that the viewers will resonate with her performances.
Like her musical heroes, former
American Idol contestants Jennifer Hudson and Fantasia, she hopes for the competition to catapult her to the top.
Tesmin-Robyn Khanye
Age: 23
Location: Johannesburg
Tesmin’s resilience has seen her enter Idols three times. Having made it as far as the Top 16 previously, this year she hopes to make it all the way to the end.
Describing herself as an ambivert who comes alive on stage, music has been a part of her life for as long as she can remember - she’s been singing since she was a toddler.
She hopes that the competition will help her build a firm foundation for her future, and the opportunity to network with other artists.
Thapelo Molomo
Age: 29
Location: Pretoria
Self-confessed perfectionist Thapelo has spent the past few years honing his musical skills. In 2012, he joined a gospel group as a backing vocalist but is now ready to take the lead.
After a few attempts at making a mark in the music business, he relishes being part of Idols, an experience he describes as the “biggest stage” he has been on.
While he is open to trying out different genres, his passion lies in soul music. One of his musical heroes is Michael Bolton. “I'm all about love, and his personality is all about love,” he says.
Ty Swarts
Age: 21
Location: Johannesburg
Ty had no idea he had entered Idols a second time until he received a phone call - turns out his girlfriend had secretly sent in a video “just to see if the show would call back”.
Describing himself as a woke dreamer who appreciates life, Ty’s musical journey started at a young age - he comes from a very musical family. He realised he could sing in Grade 3, and it has been his passion since.
What can we expect when he hits the stage? “Viewers can expect a show. I will treat every performance as if it’s a gig. I will give it my all.”
Zee Dyasi
Age: 18
Location: Cape Town
This year’s youngest live show contestant began singing in Grade 2, after she joined the choir.
An avid fan of Idols, the teenager decided to enter this year after matriculating last year - her mother’s conditions were that she could enter the show after finishing school (and getting good grades).
When she is on stage, Zee says her voice takes over. She hopes to win the show but is relishing the overall opportunity to perform. She plans to give viewers her best. “It’s literally my heart that will be on that stage. I hope people feel that.”
The live shows begin next Sunday, 28 August at 17h30.