Rumour of the fantasic four peaking too soon was put to the challenge this week on Digicel Rising Stars. The theme of this week’s show (Sunday August 23), Then and Now, gave contestants the chance to perform one hit song from the year of their birth, and another 2008 or 2009 hit. The contestants did their usual best, and impressed the audience, but the judges, for the most part felt the scene was a bit too familiar.
Judges this week were the original three, who know the contestants best, Anthony Miller, Nadine Sutherland and Clyde McKenzie. Joining Kiki in the Chill Room this week were two artistes who have been making hits from then till now, internationally known and loved Tony Rebel and Mr. Vegas.
Outstanding Performances
Though the judges felt as though they had seen most of the contestant’s best already, a few performances did stand out this week.
Brown Sugar’s Now performance, a Queen Ifrica Medley, had the audience on the edge of their seats, dancing and singing along. Nadine who enjoyed the performance complimented Brown Sugar on her versatility saying: “I like that you show your diversity” she then concluded “Your talent is vast”.
Clyde who agreed with her, added: “You are always best when you get down to earth, you know… that’s where you are very strong.”
Anthony, who did not totally disagree, stated: “It was too, too similar to last week, it sounds a little repetitious, with the similar sort of vibe, I think she is on a bit of the down side tonight”. Brown Sugar stated backstage that she chose the songs because of her NCB foundation project: “they all tied into the theme of giving back to the kids.”
Diva Adena came back shining again this week, despite suffering from another sore throat, but this time it could be heard in the hoarseness of her voice. Her stunning Then performance of Irene Cara’s What a Feeling, left the audience amazed at her ability to integrate the new found hoarseness of her voice into the song, turning it into a positive. Clyde, who enjoyed the performance stated: “That was strong, you came across with conviction.”
Anthony who agreed partially, stated: “That sounded really good, I just wanted you to involve me and take me a bit more. You have to step up how you perform, you sound good, but you’re looking a bit lack-lustre.”
Nadine however did not lose any faith in Adena, concluding: “You are a good singer, I know the issues you are struggling with, but just sing.” referring to Adena’s sore throat.
Princess Tia took both the audience and the judges by surprise this week with her very sexy Then performance of Giving Him Something He Can Feel by Envogue. Not only were Tia’s vocals on point, but her moves were also, leaving the audience screaming for more. Thoroughly impressed, Clyde commented: “It seems as if Tia is smelling the money!”
Equally as impressed was Anthony, who stated: “I think she stepped out of her shell with that performance, she chose the right song, and gave the perfect performance.”
“Tia where are your mother and your father?” asked Nadine jokingly. She then concluded: “That was delightful, I mean everything I saw in that audition, girl, you lived up to it!”
Fashion
The Stars this week for the most part were rocking a more laid back look, much unlike the glitz and glamour we are usually used to. But a few outfits really did stand out, such as Princess Tia’s black slinky dress with ruffled chiffon off the shoulder collar and gold open toe platforms. Moments outfit for their Now performance of Tarrus Riley and Konshens’ Good Girl Gone Bad was something else that caught the eye, black military-esque shirts, army stripes and epaulettes included, black jeans, black military boots and black sunglasses.
Brown Sugar red and brown cheetah print pants from her first performance have officially been declared a miss, however, her Now performance outfit of an army fatigue jacket, cream under blouse, army green pants and suede pecan brown boots more than made up for it!
Notable Judges Comments
The judges overall seemed to be pleased by the contestants performances, but at the same seemed a little disappointed that only Princess Tia really wowed them with her performance, everyone else seemed to be their usual, great self. This however is ironic, as Princess Tia’s second performance of Rihanna’s Disturbia seemed to turn them off as much as her first performance had pleased them.
Miller, thoroughly disturbed by the failed harmony between Tia and her back-up singers, stated: “I much, much, much preferred the first one; that was disturbingly silly. You could have really taken it tonight because people aren’t doing that wonderfully well.”
Nadine agreed: “I thought you could have chosen something else that could have made you soar. With the right song you could have cemented yourself tonight.”
Clyde concluded: “In my mind I think you took the first round…but this one I think you could have had the knock out, and maybe you didn’t.”
Moments second performance of Good Girl Gone Bad though pleasing to both Nadine and Clyde seemed however to rub Miller the wrong way: “I think that Brown Sugar pulled it off last week, but I don’t think that you pulled it off. This is do or die, I think your chance might have just died.” he told them.
Moments however stated backstage that they were not trying to follow Brown Sugar at all: “This is the type of music we are used to doing (before Diicel Rising Stars), I am the singer and Fabian is the singjay” Stated Andrew.
Audience Comments
“I really enjoyed the show, as I always do” stated one audience member, obviously a regular. He then continued: “But I’m really disappointed with the fact that Sandy went home, and Moments is still here.”
Another audience member who is also a regular stated: “I come to the show every week and I had to agree with the judges this week, I mean they were really good, but they were really good last week as well, I guess they just kept getting better so I expected this week would be a step up as well. Maybe they can’t go any higher.”
