The live Spectaculars for Idols SA Season 11 kicked off on a high note at Pretoria’s State Theatre tonight with a spirited group performance by this season’s Top 16 Guys of Mark Ronson’s and Bruno Mars’s smash hit, “Uptown Funk”.
Next week it will be the Top 16 Girls’s turn to perform for the fans’ votes, but tonight they could relax in the audience and enjoy a spectacular guest performance from Lesotho-born superstar Maleh, singing her smash hit “You Make My Heart Go”.
Siphelele Ngcobo (24) from Inanda in Durban kicked off the Season 11 Live Spectaculars with Omi’s hit “Cheerleader”, which peaked at Number 2 on the Channel O charts.
Idols SA judge Unathi Msengana noted that Siphelele had taken the judges’ advice at Sun City and picked a youth anthem for this performance. “Great song choice,” she commended him. “Halala”.
Gareth Cliff cautioned Siphilele to try to have some more fun on the stage. “For me it sounded like you were singing at a reggae coconut bar,” Somizi Mhlongo complained.
Randall Abrahams acknowledged that it’s hard to be the one opening the show, but he agreed with Gareth that Siphelele had to own the stage. “I thought it wasn’t great,” he commented.
Fans can vote for Siphelele via USSD by dialing *120*33033# (Calls are charged at R1,50 per minute, limited to 200 votes per cellphone number); by SMSing his voting number 01 to 37400 (SMS's are charged at R1.50/SMS, limited to 100 votes per cellphone number); or for free via WeChat (100 times per cellphone number); or for free on the official mobile site (100 times per cellphone number) or Idols SA website or at www.mnet.co.za/idolsSA (100 times during the valid voting period).
Siphelele’s unique contestant number is 01.
Jozi’s Phila Madlingozi (25) was up next with a local-is-lekker track: “Ungowami”, from Uhuru (featuring Speedy, Wizkid and Donald).
“You owned it – you made it your own song,” said Somizi. “Well done!”
“They loved the song, they’re going to vote for you,” Unathi told Phila, but Gareth pointed out that at this stage of the competition “everybody has to be outstanding otherwise you’re gone. I really hope that was good enough for the votes,” he noted.
And Randall seriously cautioned Phila to focus as much on his singing as he does on his dancing.
Fans can vote for Phila via USSD by dialing *120*33033# (Calls are charged at R1,50 per minute, limited to 200 votes per cellphone number); by SMSing his voting number 02 to 37400 (SMS's are charged at R1.50/SMS, limited to 100 votes per cellphone number); or for free via WeChat (100 times per cellphone number); or for free on the official mobile site (100 times per cellphone number) or Idols SA website or at www.mnet.co.za/idolsSA (100 times during the valid voting period).
Phila’s unique contestant number is 02.
27-year-old Thami Shobede from Mthubathuba impressed the State Theatre audience with his performance of Ed Sheeran’s “Photograph”. “I think you handled that very nicely,” said Gareth.
“I think that you’ve got something special – I just don’t think that tonight it was revealed to the point where people are going to remember you. I think it could have been a bit better,” Randall explained. But Somizi clearly disagreed. “Great one,” he said simply. And Unathi also thought that Thami’s performance would be memorable.
Fans can vote for Thami via USSD by dialing *120*33033# (Calls are charged at R1,50 per minute, limited to 200 votes per cellphone number); by SMSing his voting number 03 to 37400 (SMS's are charged at R1.50/SMS, limited to 100 votes per cellphone number); or for free via WeChat (100 times per cellphone number); or for free on the official mobile site (100 times per cellphone number) or Idols SA website or at www.mnet.co.za/idolsSA (100 times during the valid voting period).
Thami’s unique contestant number is 03.
23-year-old Karabo Mogane from Nelspruit earned himself a standing ovation from Somizi with his performance of the first Sam Smith song of the night, “I’m Not The Only One”.
“You are the first one I can guarantee you is through,” Gareth told Karabo definitively.
“You have …” Somizi started, before he dissolved into tears. “Your voice touches the heart,” he told Karabo. “If there was an Idols worldwide you would still be in the Top 10.”
“You just Sam Cooked Sam Smith!” Unathi praised.
And Randall commented that Karabo had always been one of the most likeable performers, but now also one of the most believable.
Fans can vote for Karabo via USSD by dialing *120*33033# (Calls are charged at R1,50 per minute, limited to 200 votes per cellphone number); by SMSing his voting number 04 to 37400 (SMS's are charged at R1.50/SMS, limited to 100 votes per cellphone number); or for free via WeChat (100 times per cellphone number); or for free on the official mobile site (100 times per cellphone number) or Idols SA website or at www.mnet.co.za/idolsSA (100 times during the valid voting period).
Karabo’s unique contestant number is 04.
20-year-old Rhema Varrie from Alberton was up next with Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud”. Gareth thought Rhema’s performance was quite “studied”. “No doubt you have the voice,” Somizi agreed, “but there’s something missing.” And he cautioned Rhema to “dress young”. But Unathi disagreed. “You look incredible,” she said. “The only thing I’ll say is ‘smile, baby’ …”
And Randall expressed concern that Rhema was still so nervous. “On television its noticeable, it recognisable, and it’s not going to get you votes,” he said.
Fans can vote for Rhema via USSD by dialing *120*33033# (Calls are charged at R1,50 per minute, limited to 200 votes per cellphone number); by SMSing his voting number 05 to 37400 (SMS's are charged at R1.50/SMS, limited to 100 votes per cellphone number); or for free via WeChat (100 times per cellphone number); or for free on the official mobile site (100 times per cellphone number) or Idols SA website or at www.mnet.co.za/idolsSA, (100 times during the valid voting period).
Rhema’s unique contestant number is 05.
Lungisa Xhamela (24) from Langa in the Cape performed “Touchin, Lovin”, from Trey Songz (featuring Nicki Minaj).
The real trick tonight was to make yourself unforgettable, but he wasn’t sure it was enough.
“It was an okay performance,” was all Somizi had to say. “The disconnect here is if you’re going to choose a song called ‘Touchin’, Lovin’’, you have to be it,” said Unathi. Randall thought that Lungisa is probably the best vocalist amongst the guys, “but you have to bring it,” he warned.
Fans can vote for Lungisa via USSD by dialing *120*33033# (Calls are charged at R1,50 per minute, limited to 200 votes per cellphone number); by SMSing his voting number 06 to 37400 (SMS's are charged at R1.50/SMS, limited to 100 votes per cellphone number); or for free via WeChat (100 times per cellphone number); or for free on the official mobile site (100 times per cellphone number) or Idols SA website or at www.mnet.co.za/idolsSA, (100 times during the valid voting period).
Lungisa’s unique contestant number is 06.
The youngest guy in the Top 18, 16-year-old Loyiso Gijana from Uitenhage in the Eastern Cape, performed another Sam Smith number (featuring John Legend): “Lay Me Down”.
“That is a technical tour de force,” said Gareth. “That’s my performance of the night.” A stunned Unathi agreed, and Somizi literally spoke in tongues. “It’s ultimately a singing competition,” Randall said happily. “And you sang.”
Fans can vote for Loyiso via USSD by dialing *120*33033# (Calls are charged at R1,50 per minute, limited to 200 votes per cellphone number); by SMSing his voting number 07 to 37400 (SMS's are charged at R1.50/SMS, limited to 100 votes per cellphone number); or for free via WeChat (100 times per cellphone number); or for free on the official mobile site (100 times per cellphone number) or Idols SA website or at www.mnet.co.za/idolsSA, (100 times during the valid voting period).
Loyiso’s unique contestant number is 07.
Ruan Grobbelaar (24) from Somerset West closed the first Season 11 Live Spectacular with George Ezra’s “Blame It On Me”.
“Well done, white boy,” Gareth said bluntly. An excited Somizi said he could imagine Ruan doing his first solo show in New York’s Central Park. “That was magnificent!” he cried. “What you managed to do which many of our contestants didn’t do was be believable,” said Unathi. Randall thought it was a good performance but not especially captivating in any way.
Fans can vote for Ruan via USSD by dialing *120*33033# (Calls are charged at R1,50 per minute, limited to 200 votes per cellphone number); by SMSing his voting number 08 to 37400 (SMS's are charged at R1.50/SMS, limited to 100 votes per cellphone number); or for free via WeChat (100 times per cellphone number); or for free on the official mobile site (100 times per cellphone number) or Idols SA website or at www.mnet.co.za/idolsSA, (100 times during the valid voting period).
Ruan’s unique contestant number is 08.
Voting for the Top 8 guys opened at the start of the live Spectacular show and closes on Tuesday night, 1 September, at 22:00. All the Terms and Conditions for Idols SA Season 11 voting are explained on the Idols SA website at http://idolssa.dstv.com/article/how-to-vote-for-your-idol-20150830
Next Sunday, 6 September, the Top 8 girls take the stage in Idols SA on M-Net, channel 101 on DStv, and Mzansi Magic, channel 161 on DStv. The Top 10 for Idols SA Season 11 will be announced the following Sunday, 13 September.
Watch Idols on M-Net and Mzansi Magic on Sundays at 17:00. It will also be available on DStv Catch Up once the show has aired.
Join the Idols social media family on Facebook or by following @IdolsSA on Twitter or find us on Instagram @IdolsSA. You’ll also find us on WeChat on the ID idolssa where you can test your Idols SA knowledge using the keyword Quiz.
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