Girl With a Purpose (GWAP)

Digicel Rising Stars - Final: And the Winner Is???

Well, I think the entire Jamaican population under 30 years old, who weren't at Mas Camp (the venue for the Digicel Rising Stars concert) tonight, were  glued to their TV sets!

...and why? you may ask...well for the Digicel Rising Stars Final, of course!

[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.]

Well, tonight came with a bang and wonderful entertainment from last year's Rising Stars' winners - One Third!

Then came the recap of the performances of the 10 finalists  and the two remaining finalists in the competition. - Jodian Pantry and Romain Virgo.

Jodian Pantry' s opening song was, "I Feel like Jumping", by Marcia Griffiths, while Romain Virgo opened with an Alton Ellis Medley.

And then to the screaming fans at Mas Camp and at the studios at the Courtleigh Auditorium, the winner was announced!

And yes, friends, the Room Ram King, Romain Virgo, has taken the Rising Stars Jamaica 2007 crown!

("Room Ram" is the famous song and dance combo introduced to the world, by Jamaican teenage singing sensation, QQ.

The teenage girls in Jamaica, just went crazy when Romain performed it for their enjoyment during the competition.)

Romain wins two (2) singles and a video from record company, Green Sleeves, 1 Million dollars and 100,000 worth of credit from Digicel and a spanking new Sony Erickson phone!

Jodian walks away with $600,000 from main sponsor, Digicel!

Not bad for ten weeks' performance by two teenagers under the age of 18 :).

But this will not be the last that we see from Romain and Jodian, for now, as they will be doing an island-wide Road Show, soon!

Girl With a Purpose Blog congratulates both Jodian and Romain!

You both did very well and we wish you both every success in your musical careers!

Gillian

Digicel Rising Stars Performance Show, September 23, 2007!

Well friends, the last Digicel Rising Stars Performance Show occurred tonight!

[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.]

Here's how the two finalists left in the competition performed, along with the comments from all three judges, Nadine Sutherland, Clyde McKenzie and Anthony Miller:

1) Jodian Pantry

Song # 1: Her favorite from the competition - "Summer Time" by Fantasia

This was a good performance by Jodian.

And our esteemed judges...what did they think?:

Clyde -"Jodian, when you last sang that song it was summer, it's fall and you're still hot!"

Nadine - "That was incredible, just relax."

Anthony - "That was very low key start for a very important night."

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Song #2: Favorite song from the 90's: "Water from the Moon", by Celine Dion

This was also a good performance by Jodian.

The judges comments were:

Nadine - "That was a hard song to sing - with the different chord changes - you handled yourself!"

Anthony - "Execution and selection lack-luster."

Clyde - "You just need to sing."

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Song #3: The judges pick: "Fantasy" by Earth Wind and Fire

I thought this was a good performance by Jodian...the high notes were a challenge for her in this song, though.

Here's what the judges thought:

Clyde - "She did very well that was fantastic!"

Nadine - "You learnt very well, that was very good!"

Anthony - "I chose that song thinking she'd rise to the occasion, but she didn't."

2) Romain Virgo

Song # 1:  His favorite from the competition: "It Tears Me Apart", by Percy Sledge

This was an excellent performance by Romain - despite a slight slip up and a slide

The judges comments were:

Anthony - "Don't think he can mess up - he struck a chord with people...he cant mess up"

Clyde - "Romain was not at his top- but is really good."

Nadine - "Romain that was good, just relax, relax, relax."

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Song #2: His favorite song from the 90's: "Rock Me Tonight" by Freddie Jackson

This was also an excellent performance by Romain. We also heard that he was having a throat problem.

Here's what the judges thought:

Nadine - "For someone who's voice is sick, for you to sound this good!...mmmh"

Clyde - "The man is so good that you can weather any storm!"

Anthony - "It's about making that connection with audience and they will vote for him."

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Song #3: The judges pick: "Sir Duke" by Stevie Wonder

I thought this was a superb and excellent performance by Romain!!!

And the judges, what did they think?:

Clyde - "This was a song that would really work for him!"

Nadine - "That was just incredible - for a kid to articulate a Stevie Wonder song like that!"

Anthony - "He brought something really fun and funky...of the two judges' picks - he really rose to the occasion."

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We want to say all the best to Jodian and Romain and we look forward to the final Rising Stars Results Show on Friday, September 28, 2007, when the winner will be announced!

So please, go out and vote!!

Gillian.

Source:
Television Jamaica: Rising Stars Performance Show, September 23,2007.

The Results Are In: Digicel Rising Stars Results Show, September 21,2007!

Well friends, the event that we have been waiting for, for the entire week has arrived!!!

Yes, it's the Digicel Rising Stars Results Show for tonight!

[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.]

And the results are in for the remaining three (3) contestants in the competition!

1) Jodian Pantry - safe!!!!
2) Romain Virgo - safe!!!
3) Inga Stewart - goes home!!

This means that Inga is the third place winner. She wins the Digicel-sponsored Cash Prize of JMD $400,000 and a single and music video, courtesy of Green Sleeves.

Congrats Inga!!!

Let's hear what the judges had to say about Inga!!

1) Nadine Sutherland - "Inga, you're such a trooper! Thank you for coming back and doing what you do!"

2) Clyde McKenzie - "Inga, people should be proud - you carried yourself with poise and dignity."

3) Anthony Miller - "The show is about freshness and dignity and the people made the right choice!"

Romain and Jodian will perform on Sunday Night and Jamaica will have up until 5:00 p.m. Friday, September 28,2007, to vote for either of the two.

So please go out and vote!! (Please be careful, don't spend off your money and don't have any food to eat, ok? )

On Sunday, September 23, 2007, the final two contestants will perform three (3) songs, consisting of:

1) Their favorite song from the series

2) A 1990's hit

3) A pick from the judges

The final show will be on September 28,2007, at Mas Camp on Oxford Road, where the winner will be announced.

For those Jamaicans, who will be going to Mas Camp, who have a tendency to be unruly, please behave yourselves!! Please let's not repeat the melee that happened during the Rising Stars Final for 2005!

I want to say congrats to all three (3) contestants for coming this far and we look forward to Friday Night, September 28,2007, when the Rising Stars 2007 King/Queen will be crowned!

...Who do you think will win?

Gillian

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