The second challenge show gave the real stars a chance to shine!
Sunday night’s performance show was one not to be missed, as all of the contestants brought their all; some hitting the mark, on spot, and a few just barely missing it!
After picking songs from the delightful host, Terri-Karelle’s fish bowl on stage last week, this week the contestants had to follow through on the challenge, performing their random selections with an In It to Win It drive, that could either have them becoming 2011’s Digicel Rising Star, or send them home.
And after having both the regal Rocio and the hilariously talented V3 in the bottom two on Saturday night, the fans at home voted, and Rocio was asked to spend another week on the show, while sadly,V3 went home.
Joining the lovely Tessanne this week were two guest judges. As the honest and dapper Bambino could not make the show, the talented Derrick Coffie, producer from the Equinox camp sat in for him. The other guest judge this week is a member from Jamaica’s most well known Dancehall group, TOK front man, Craigy-T. Meanwhile the Intense Chica Pepita held down the BlackBerry Chill Room again this week with another member of TOK, Base-C.
And a blast from the past, back by popular demand is your vivacious urban girl Kimone, who brought the Word on the Street from Cross Roads!
Outstanding Performances
Though Dominic’s performance of Train’s Soul Sista had the judges and the audience singing along, and Jah Flamez’ rendition of Aerosmith’s Crazy left both the judges and the audience impressed, it was the ladies who rocked the show Sunday night.
Still ecstatic from recently being saved, Rocio brought the heat to the stage with Aaliyah’s Try Again. Really stepping out of her shell, she had the audience going wild when she whined seductively, and even rapped parts of the song.
Performing Katy Perry’s Firework! Superstar Tash, ignited the stage and the audience! After suffering issues with her tonsils throughout the week, her super-stellar performance impressed the judges even more. Near speechless, Coffie said, impressed: “You ignited this place, you set the stage on fire!… Excellent performance, trust me, you’re on your way!”
And Tessanne, agreeing said: “I know you’ve been having some vocal problems, but you handled that like a pro. I’m so proud of you!”
And Latty J raised the bar again this week, showing that she has what it takes to be the next Digicel Rising Star with a convincing and heartfelt performance of Letoya Luckett’s Torn. Making the song her own, her goose-bump inducing performance won over the audience for good, and landed her a permanent place as one of the judges’ favourites. Obviously impressed, Tessanne said: “You definitely made the song your own… you made me believe you. I thought it was a wonderful rendition!” While a still stunned Craigy-T commented “Beautiful! That’s what happens when you get a song that fits your vocals perfectly. I felt the soul when you sang that song.. I really enjoyed it!”
Coffie then said simply: “I think Latty J definitely displayed what we’ve been looking for all night!”
Fashion
Shoulders were in this week, with host Terri-Karelle leading the fashionistas again in a mini, one shouldered, blue print number, with matching glittery turquoise pumps. Rocio also showed some sexy shoulder in her off the shoulder African print top, with A-symmetrical cut skirt and black open toed boots. Latty J followed the trend in her purple, one shouldered mini dress, seductively dark stockings and sexy black pumps. And the upcoming fashionista she is, Tash could not miss out on this one in her airy, halter orange top with empire waist, and gold accessories, black liquid leggings, and black and gold pumps.
Holding it down for the guys this week as usual was Jah Flamez, who rocked another Carl Sway original, a blue, black and white, vested suit, with white alligator boots; and Mr. 16 swagger, Delando, who wore a blue t-shirt with a black and white striped tie, shiny black pants and vest, with a black fitted cap, and black Clarks.
Judges Comments
Though his swag was turned all the way up Sunday night, Delando’s rendition of James Blunt’s You’re Beautiful, still lacked a lil’ something. Craigy T said smiling: “It takes a lot for somebody your age to come up and perform like that, but at the same time I still think there is a lot vocally you could have done with that song.”
Coffie was a little less impressed when he said: “The first part was a little bit rocky… Work on your vocals and practice, if you’re here, you have to be in it to win it.” But Tessanne was still blushing after being sung to when she replied: “As with all your songs, the first part was a little bit low… but when you really get into it, and hit that sweet spot, it’s a beautiful thing!”
After VOH’s well choreographed, but too mellow performance of Jesse McCartney’s Beautiful Soul, The not too impressed judges let their feelings be known. Not hiding his disappointment, Coffie said openly, “I really expected that this would have been the performance that tore the house down. I honestly was disappointed. It was still a good performance, but I really expected much more.”
While Tessanne was a bit gentler, but honest just the same, saying: “The plusses of this performance was the choreography… and with that I felt that all of you forgot the singing, and to sing as a unit. You can’t have one man holding down the fort for all of you… You have to bring it, and I definitely didn’t feel that tonight.”
And after apologizing for being more critical, coming from a group himself, Craigy T summed up all the judges’ comments when he said: “When you’re dealing with a song like that… sometimes less is more. And I applaud your efforts, but I think you put a little too much into it and it took away from the performance.”
The winner of this week’s challenge will be announced at Saturday night’s elimination show, and will receive a brand new blackberry and well deserved spa treatment. So tune in to TVJ this Saturday at 9pm to see which two contestants are in the bottom two, and which contestant won the challenge!
