Anthony Miller, Rising Stars judge. - Nathaniel Stewart

"You don't know what it's like to listen to this song ... I am surprised I am still awake".

That was the verdict R3 got from Anthony on August 3. The comment came in response to R3's rendition of the Bee Gees hit song To Love Somebody. Other Miller comments such as "Like your suit, that song is much too big for you," (directed at Wayne Williams), and "You look like figurines about to break," (directed at SLR) have proved to be as entertaining as the performances in the fifth season of Digicel Rising Stars.

Miller doesn't suffer fools gladly and on Sunday nights was at his best throwing volleys of witty commentaries that might at times seem caustic to onlookers or contestants. Since this season, Miller has made some comments that have kept viewers talking, one particular, to a female contestant: "If you were a fly I would have squashed you ...", his subtle way of telling her she could not sing.

However, he has also given comments deemed less harsh. "These guys are the real deal," he said of Kahlil's stage rocking performance in the first top-10 show. Cameal Davies was lucky on August 10 to get the comment: "You look great, but you sounded even better. Love the package."

Lashana also shared in the dessert being served by Miller on the same evening when he said, "I like big voices and raw talent ... that was good."

However, the contestants have taken his comments in stride, seemingly aware of the sincerity imbedded in the 'Killer Miller' judgements.

"At first we worried about Anthony's comments when entering Digicel Rising Stars 2008, but we kissed our fears goodbye and went along," stated Latoya of the group SLR, "Everyone is afraid of his comments, but we know what we want and what we have to do to get it ... so we use his comments to improve the group."

Not scared

Constable Leisha Rose gave her opinion of Anthony's harsh comments: "I'm not scared of Anthony because I know his comments are meant to help in improving my performance." Rose also indicated that Anthony was the one who gave her the 'call-back slip' in her Mandeville auditions.

"In the beginning, before I actually entered Digicel Rising Stars 2008, I always imagined actually being in front of him and how scary it must have been for all the contestations," K'Alee said, "But after I entered it wasn't all that bad."

Secret Melodies explained that they value all of the judges' opinions and that it is part of what they use to improve the group's weekly performances. "The judges' opinions are meant to guide us," said Courtney.

"It was because of what they said to us that we actually re-entered the competition after we weren't so successful in 2006," Moiyan added.

Kevon and Donovan, the two other members of Secret Meodies, believe that Anthony's comments were at times different than those of the other judges. "He may say something that we as contestants find harsh, but that's the music business and we have to get accustomed to it," claimed Donovan.

Kevon added, "We just have to use his comments to help build us as a group, because like it or not he knows what he is talking about."

Since the Digicel sponsored Rising Stars first aired on TVJ, Miller has earned the reputation, from contestants and viewers, as the no-nonsense judge, notorious for unsparingly blunt and often controversial criticisms about contestants and their singing abilities, or lack thereof. In the eyes of many he is either just plain feisty or has elevated snappiness to an art form.

In essence, people either love him or love to hate him, but either way this brassy Digicel Rising Stars' Judge gives contestants 'the honest truth, as he sees it. Based on his honest truth, his comments are aimed at the improvement of contestants. So If you are singing sub-par you are going to hear it from 'killer Miller', so get it right.

Miller is not going to pamper you, he is going to let you know whether you're ready for the big stage, or not.