Idols on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) on Sunday evening announced the top 10 contestants for the 14th season - all based on viewers' votes - with M-Net and the producers, [SIC] Entertainment, who said they are doing more this year to provide psychologically support for the singers thrust into the world of sudden fame and who represent the series' youngest South African group ever.
On Sunday the three judges decided to forego their two "wildcard" saves with the top 16 contestants who were whittled down to the top 10 all based purely on viewer voting that continue to show massive grown and with the 14th season's number of votes that will likely dwarf anything the show has seen before by the time the live finale rolls around in late-November.
The top 10 represent the youngest Idols group since the show began on M-Net in March 2002 and range in age between just 17 and 23.
In fact the youngest contestant this year was just one year old when Idols first started, with the show's viewer interaction, ratings and voting more, higher and bigger than it has ever been before for what is a veteran show and where a decline and drop-off is not just expected but actually what would be considered normal.
"The announcement of the top 10 is launching what potentially could be the biggest season of Idols ever in South Africa. We're in season 14 and it doesn't ever get lower. This is potentially the biggest season," said Reneilwe Sema, M-Net's director of local entertainment channels, at Sunday's post-show press conference with the 10 contestants and producers.
"It's all because of the talent on display and the people who make the show. These are the people who need viewers to vote and viewers love to follow them and vote. Last year I did say that as long as Idols perform we will always support it and it doesn't seem as if it's slowing down at all. I'd like to thank the producers for that. I'd like to thank the amazing talent that exist in South Africa."
"In the 14th season you'd think that we would be running out of talent and we're more, we keep unearthing more and more spectacular voices. So congratulations," said Reneilwe Sema.
Co-executive producer Tebogo Thekiso known as ProVerb said that in regard to social media, the production team as as a TV show that is for the people "one can't be oblivious to what is the general thought, what is the general feeling."
"We do not allow social media to dictate the direction of the show but we do obviously consider what is the general feeling and what is most responded to and that can possibly inform some of the decisions we make going forward."
In terms of the voting he said "Sunday was the perfect indication of where the priority on Idols actually lies. So the judges, sure, may comment and give advice, but ultimately it's up to the viewers and the voters and the priority should be there."
More mentoring for contestants and support
Following the documented psychological issues that the runner-up of the 13th season of Idols, Mthokozisi Ndaba from KwaMashu, experienced who eventually cracked under the pressure and couldn't cope and claimed that he wanted to leave during the top 10 but was prevented from doing so - something [SIC] Entertainment strongly denied - TVwithThinus asked Mzansi Magic and the producers on Sunday night what is being done more, better, new or differently to support the very young group of contestants this year.
"We've got a 24/7 doctor on standby who's at the house whenever the contestants call. And then we do have help with regards to medical, religious or psychological whenever they need it said. But our first point of call is our doctor," Gavin Wratten, the director-executive producer and Idols showrunner, said.
Bongi Potelwa-Metsing, Mzansi Magic spokesperson said "Also this year what we try to do is to bring in from the industry experts to teach the top 10 how to handle the media, how to handle the disappointment".
"We know everyone goes through those emotions so we try to do our best in the background as the channel, and the production. So we are looking after the contestants' well-being."
Here are Idols' top 10 for 2018's 14th season:
Yanga Sobetwa (17) is flying the Generation Z flag high and proud. Following the footsteps of last season’s teen victor, Paxton, Season 14’s youngest contestant has stepped out of the Cape Town township of Langa straight into the national spotlight.
Nosipho
Silinda (18) recently
celebrated her birthday in the Idols house, and South Africa gifted the Grade
11 pupil from Ladysmith in KZN with a spot in the Top 10.
Ntokozo
Makhathini (18) must
be drinking the same Witbank water as her neighbour, Idols season nine winner
Musa. Whatever it is, she’s keeping her small town on the map with her
inclusion in the Top 10.
Basimane Boys Melato aka King B (19) was the first to hear the magic words “You’re in the Top 10!” from ProVerb. The HR student from Kagiso has been a firm favourite since his dazzling Theatre Week performance that saw him get a standing ovation, which he followed up with another crowd-pleasing performance during the Top 16 Boys show. He reciprocated the love with his now trademark vosho…as Kings do!
Zamagambu
Memela aka Xae
(19) made Idols history by becoming the first contestant to get a Golden
Ticket autographed – by all the judges. While that was a sweet but meaningless
gesture, making it into the Top 10 is a big deal for the youngster from
Pinetown, Durban.
Thando
Mngomezulu
(19) finally overcame her crippling lack of confidence to give a
dynamite performance that saw the country showing their appreciation with
votes. South Africa spoke, the judges listened, and Thando from Jozi made it to
the Top 10.
Mthokozisi
Nqcobo (20) may have
had only two pairs of shoes when he first auditioned, but his spot in the Top
10 proves walking in them to the audition was worth it. The Umlazi, Durban,
native is finally on stage doing what he says heals his heart – singing.
Thato
Makape (23) is the
epitome of courage and determination, as his inclusion in the Top 10 proves. A
barber from Postmasburg in the Northern, Makape travelled nearly 10 000 km
for an audition in Cape Town. Tonight, South Africa showed him that the journey
was worth it.
Lincoln
Lewis (22) from
Ravensmead on the Cape Flats has been bringing fire every time he steps on
stage. After being told he had given judges “the best audition of the season so
far”, he went on to impress during Theatre Week and received a unanimous
thumbs-up for his Top 16 performance.
Niyaaz
Arendse (22) snatched
the last spot in the Top 10. After many years of rejection on the show, it was
no wonder the youngster from Ottery, Cape Town, was overcome with emotion.
