Jamaica, What Were You Thinking???

Friends, I just had to comment on the stunning turn of events in the current Digicel Rising Stars Competition!

[Rising Stars is the Jamaican equivalent of American Idol. It scouts Jamaican musical talent from all over the island and then gives them exposure on TV. The winner gets a record contract and two music videos.

Rising Stars' main sponsor is  Digicel, the Caribbean's leading mobile services provider.

The progress of the final 10 persons in this contest, is determined by votes from the Jamaican populace.

The finalists perform on a Sunday night and Jamaicans have up until the Friday of that week, to vote (via text message)  for the finalists they want to remain in the competition. The results from the week of voting are then given on the Friday night.]

Tonight, Friday September 14, 2007, Jamaica voted off the one true talent in this contest - Lenya Wilks!

Now I don't want to diminish the talent and potential of the three remaining contestants, Romain Virgo, Jodiann Pantry and Inga Stewart.

But in my estimation and the estimation of a few friends and family, Lenya was way ahead in terms of musical depth and voice range in this contest.

She was also the most consistent of the final four.

Wow!

You could see from the reaction of the judges, Nadine Sutherland, Clyde McKenzie and Anthony Miller, that they too were stunned at Jamaica's choice.

Lenya was so disappointed, she couldn't even sing the closing song, at the end of the show, tonight!

Sure, Jodiann Pantry, who was really flat throughout the contest, shone on Sunday night.

Inga's performance was ok, Romain was good, but Lenya was just plain great!

Well, I guess, that's just life for you!

Lenya, take heart!..you have the makings of a great singer...just keep practicing and honing that voice of yours...your time will come and then, Jamaica will have to take notice!

Remember, Bob Marley had to become a big international star before Jamaicans started to pay him any attention!

I want to wish Inga, Jodiann and Romain, all the best for the rest of the competition!

You all have the makings of great singers too!

Just keep practicing, singing and shining!

Gillian