This year 'Digicel Rising Stars' has seen a number of changes, a new host, a new venue and of course, new contestants.

The STAR spoke with a few loyal Rising Stars fans to get their opinions on the contestants, the host and who their all-time favourite Rising Star is.

Based on the responses of a few persons during the Independence Day Festival Street Parade on Hope Road, it was obvious that the group SLR is slowly becoming a crowd favourite.

Other favourites included the youngsters of Secret Melodies, Mandeville contestant Leisha Rose and Nigel Wilson. Surprisingly, Wilson was among those who received the least number of votes this weekend.

In terms of the talent there seems to be a mixed response as some persons didn't think the talent this year lived up to that of previous seasons. Tanishacommented that "Rising Stars flop dis year, it just dead, no talent."

Another fan Dania* also told the STAR, "I thought the auditions were horrible, the host seems so scripted." She had kinder words for other aspects of the show however. "I like the new set at the performance shows though. As for the talent I like Kahlil and a few others, they are not mind blowing but they do have talent," she said.

"However the competition seems to be going very slow. The talent is average, not great."

Many persons still seem to favour former host Denise Hunt over the current one, Yendi Phillipps but most were willing to give the beauty queen a chance to impress.

Olivia* commented, "I think she doing good and people should get off her back. It's her first live show and I don't think Denise was that great."

However, one fan would like to see the two women working together. "The two (Denise and Yendi) muss run di show. Denise for the first part and then Yendi can finish."

2005 winner Christopher Martin seems to be the all time favourite Rising Star according to those with whom the STAR spoke. Noddy Virtue, One Third and Nickeisha Barnes were next in line for favourite Rising Star.

Names changed upon request.