by Thinus Ferreira
For its current 18th season Idols has chosen a smaller top group, with only 12 instead of the usual 16 hopeful singers who will compete in the weekly live performances starting from Sunday 28 August, and with the top group including multiple musicians who can play instruments as well as gospel singers.
In Sunday's episode on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) the remaining top 32 contestants were culled to just 12 after the gruelling so-called "theatre week", and not 16 as in previous years.
In the group of 12 there are seven contestants who have entered Idols in previous seasons, and several who can play instruments and who have now made it through to the top group.
Ranging in age from 18 to 29, the top 12 contestants will now compete for votes from DStv subscribers in live performances taking place at Pretoria's Heartfelt Arena.
Here are the top 12:
Ceejay (24), Stranger
Third time lucky – that 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.
Hope (23), Pretoria
Having started singing at the age of five and
participated in a lot of plays at school, Hope says joining the Midlands Youth
Choir opened a new avenue of what music could sound like.
After years of thinking about entering,
Hope decided that now was the perfect time. "I wasn't ready earlier than this," she says, having just completed 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 (24), Pietermaritzburg
Kabelo is no stranger to the Idols stage, having previously entered in 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 and his twin brother learned how to play the guitar and keyboard through
YouTube videos.
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," he says.
Lerato (27), 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.
"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 (23), 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.
About her Idols journey so far, she says "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."
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 (21), 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 – who is 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 began singing at 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 (27), 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 (23), 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 for the competition to help
her build a firm foundation for her future, and the opportunity to network
with other artists.
Thapelo (29), Pretoria
The 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 (21), 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 if the show would call back".
Describing himself as a woke dreamer who appreciates
life, Ty’s musical journey started at a very young age – he comes from a very
musical family. He realised he could sing in grade three, 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 (18), Cape Town
This year's youngest live show
contestant began singing in grade 2, after she joined the choir.
As an Idols fan, 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 onstage, 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."
