Idols SA reaches top 8 stage

The judges were looking for perfection from the participants, with former contestant Loyiso providing a worthy example to emulate. Monique fell just short of that perfection, leaving Nqobi, Berry, Sia Mzizi, Karabo, Daylin Sass, S'22kile, Kevin and Bulelani in the top eight of the competition.

Loyiso opened the night with his latest song ‘Seasons’ and demonstrated just how far talent can take participants who don’t win the competition, thereby comforting Monique whose journey at Idols SA ended yesterday.

“Lloyiso’s success after Idols shows what an important platform for uncovering future stars the competition is,” M-Net local channels entertainment director Nomsa Philiso said. “The Idols stage is a goldmine for talent and it’s great for current contestants to be reminded of this.”

Karabo, Nqobie and S'22Kile lived up to the judges’ expectations, with all of them receiving full marks for their performances.

Karabo performed US Idols Season 3 winner Fantasia’s ‘When I See U’. “You do it again and again and again; you don’t leave anything unturned,” Unathi said, while guest judge Dineo Ranaka declared the stage was too small for her. “I love your confidence, I am sold,” she said. Randall Abrahams echoed this, saying Karabo held nothing back. “Right out of the gate, you came out storming, very well done,” he said.

Abrahams was impressed with Nqobie’s performance of Soa Mattrix and Soulful G’s ‘Uthando’. “I have never seen someone like you on this show before,” he said. This was echoed by Ranaka, who said she loved the strength Nqobie gave to the song. Unathi said the performance was amazing, but urged her to let go a bit more.

S'22kile sang ‘Xola Moya Wam' by Nomcebo Zikode, a performance which won over all the judges. Ranaka said she had the X factor, while Abrahams said it was her best performance so far. Unathi said her performance was both beautiful and powerful.

The judges were in agreement about Bulelani’s performance of ‘Uyeke’ by Heavy K featuring Natalia Mabaso. They all urged him to get the negativity out of his head and embrace his talent. Berry, who performed ‘Blinding Lights’ by The Weeknd, elicited mixed reactions, with Abrahams saying her performance was inauthentic, while Unathi and Dineo felt she had nailed the song.

Kevin closed off the evening with a rendition of Teni’s ‘Case’. “You are just amazing to watch,” Unathi said. Abrahams said he had done an exceptional job of finding his own style.