Port Elizabeth’s Idols SA season 13 contestant, Christo Daniels, 22, is finding his feet in Italy where he kicked off his latest gig, performing on the MSC’s newest cruise ship, Bellissima.
Daniels said he was approached about the opportunity at the beginning of 2018 and it materialised at a time when he had almost forgotten about it and made other plans. However, he said he put his plans for the year on hold to pursue this opportunity.
“As exciting as it is, I also feel nervous because it’s a completely new challenge for me. But I also look forward to working with new international musicians,” he said.
Daniels left for Italy on Sunday to start rehearsals with eight other acts from various countries on Tuesday.
Before competing in Idols SA in 2018, Daniels was pursuing a business management qualification at Nelson Mandela University, which he put on hold to focus on the competition. His plans for 2019 were to complete the qualification and release a gospel music project, he said.
“Last year I was busy with a lot of inter-city travelling for performances just to build the Christopher Daniels brand.“I have now put my plans on hold to resume when I return.”
Daniels will be back in SA in November.
The singer was in the top seven contestants of Idols SA, a competition he said helped expose his talent to a wider audience.
“The gave me an extra boost as an artist and opened many doors for me to go further with my brand. Not only was I exposed to a wider audience in SA but people beyond the country were introduced to Christo Daniels.”
Since the competition he spent the past year wowing audiences with covers of existing music to build a wider fan base before starting to release his own music.
He said being away from his family was one reason to be nervous about the MSC Cruises job.
“With Idols SA I was away from home for five months but at least I got to see my family on Sundays whereas this time around I will not see them for months.”
Daniels will spend his 23rd birthday away from his loved ones.
“I’m going to be in Italy for my birthday,” he chuckled.
The musician was sent off with a farewell party by family and friends in the week leading up to his departure.