Bay’s ‘Idols’ on song again

Follow our 'Idols' on their Facebook pages: and Bit of Rugby World Cup humour on display as judges praise performances

JAPAN has no chance of winning the Rugby World Cup if Idols voting patterns are anything to go by.

Randall Abrahams, often one of the show’s harshest critics, predicted on Sunday that the Far East nation which trumped South Africa in their opening game the previous weekend would win the rugby tournament if Nelson Mandela Bay Top 9 finalist did not get any votes.

The elimination format has changed this year, with finalists being told just moments before they perform that they have made it to the next round. In previous seasons, the person with the least votes was announced before the others performed.

Loyiso, 16, performed Sara Bareilles’ Gravity, in keeping with the night’s Songs with Strings theme.

Gareth Cliff was the first of the judges to give feedback, and said it was an odd song.

“I don’t know if you chose it with purpose or not but it showed you off really well. You’re a very talented vocalist, my friend.

“You’re going to be in this competition for a very long time,” he said.

[caption id="attachment_102708" align="alignright" width="300"] Amanda Antony[/caption]

Flamboyant judge Somizi Mhlongo told Loyiso it was time to go home.

“Your artistic intelligence is beyond me. Your maturity, your breathing technique, your tone. You know what? Go home. We’ll see you in the Top 3. Go chill,” Mhlongo said.

Unathi Msengana said Loyiso’s diversity of song and performance made him incomparable.

“Your musical intelligence and artistry are just unrivalled,” she said.

Abrahams said the other judges had already said it all. “So I’m simply going to say that if you don’t get votes tonight [Sunday], then I imagine the Japanese will win the Rugby World Cup.”

Meanwhile, there was a sense of déjà vu for the Bay’s other finalist, , who once again went up against Paarl singer Nadia Herbst, 20, for a spot in the Top 9. The two went head to head in earlier rounds for a spot in the Top 16, with Amanda, 22, losing out.

She made a comeback after another Top 16 finalist pulled out of the show.

Amanda performed Kelly Clarkson’s Because of You. Cliff said: “The song does a lot of the work for you. You don’t have to gild the lily. You’re a great singer – you can believe it, it’s true.”

Mhlongo said Amanda was versatile, telling her: “Every time you sing it’s different.”

Msengana said hers was one of the best vocal and technical performances of the season, while Abrahams was less complimentary and advised Amanda to “watch the really low notes”.

Voting starts after the show on Sunday and closes at 10pm on Tuesday. -Karen van Rooyen