The Jamaica Star :: Rising Stars :: Who will continue?

Kandré McDonald, Freelance writer

'Rising Stars' host Yendi Phillipps (right) speaks to R3 after they were voted off the competition. - Winston Sill

The dazzling, yet calm lighting inside the studios of Television Jamaica, Lyndhurst Road, was not enough to quell the tension that brewed from the final 10 contestants in the 'Digicel Rising Star' 2008 competition last Friday.

The live result show has always been a heartbreaker for some contestants, while it is a confidence booster for others. On Friday night, the hearts of R3 and Nigel 'The Barber' Wilson were broken into pieces.

Their departure from the competition seems to come as no surprise to the judges. Just before the results were revealed, and the anxiety and mental strain began to creep in, the judges commented on the contestants' prior performance.

According to Clyde McKenzie, Kahlil stole the live show two Sundays ago and he was just realising why Leisha (a police constable) did not lock him up - she is on vacation. Anthony Miller also favoured Kahlil as was evident from his comment: "It doesn't really matter who is going home, but it definitely cannot be Kahlil. Kahlil has set the trend and the others will have to play catch up." Nadine believed all the contestants had potential but most chose the wrong song.

Tense atmosphere

The approximately 30 minutes that the show lasted did not only have the contestants agitated, but also spread into the studio audience, who, at times, could hardly contain themselves. However, when it was revealed that R3 and Nigel were going home, the studio audience's idea of sentimentality seemed to have vanished into thin air.

The eight remaining contestants are Kahlil, Cameal, Leisha, K'Alee, SLR, Secret Melodies, Wayne and Lashana. The judges are of the opinion that as the competition matures, so will the contestants. Jamaica will just have to wait and see.