Digicel Rising Star fans will be saying goodbye to a few familiar faces. The popular television show has returned for its 8th season with a few surprises, among them, a new host and a fresh set of judges.

THE WEEKEND STAR spoke with the producer, the new host and judges hours before the show was launched on TVJ last night. The show shocked persons with the news that Rising Stars stalwarts judges Anthony Miller and Nadine Sutherland, who have been with the show from season one, and Clyde McKenzie, who has been with the show from season two, would not be returning. New host Lady Rennae, who took over from Yendi Phillipps last year, would also not be returning for a second run.

Speaking with THE WEEKEND STAR Digicel Rising Stars producer Sharon Schroeter said, "it's our 8th year and we thought we'd make some changes, so we decided to wipe the slate clean and start over."

beauty queen

Anthony Miller, Nadine Sutherland and Clyde McKenzie will now be replaced by ZIP FM's ZJ Bambino and singer Tessanne Chin. The spot of the third judge will be filled each week by a guest judge. The new host will be yet again another beauty queen, former Miss Jamaica World Dr Terri-Karrelle Reid.

According to Schroeter, the changes will be a difficult adjustment for the crew but she says there are no hard feelings from the former judges and host at the changes made. She explained, "Anthony, Nadine and Clyde have been with the show for a long time, they are like family. When the decision was made, we had to look at the show and where the show was going ... we know it could be a mixed reaction from audiences, but the judges we have selected are capable enough. Hopefully this year the focus will be on the talent."

The show will also be seeing a new set design but will take place weekly at the Courtleigh Auditorium in New Kingston. The 'Results Show' which was removed from the format will return this year for half an hour every Saturday starting at 9 p.m.

From the auditions, a total of 12 finalists will be selected by the judges and producers for the live shows, there will be no voting from the public during the auditions. Public voting starts at the live shows. Auditions will take place in five locations across the Island for only one day. Auditions kick off on May 21 in May Pen.

Schroeter also disclosed, "The contestants will be doing challenges this year, they will find out what they will be singing the following week on the night of the show. We're trying to choose genres and themes they aren't comfortable with, to bring a change." For Schroeter she believes the changes after eight years is the best thing that could happen to the show.

One person who is excited to be on the show is host Terri-Karrelle Reid, who had vied for the spot as the host prior to this year. "I'm absolutely excited, I don't think it as quite set in as yet, but I'm excited," she said. According to Reid, she loves what the show stands for and the chance it gives to would be singers. She says persons can expect from her as a host her warm and bubbly personality.

For judge Bambino, he got the call from the producers asking him to join the show and jumped at the opportunity. Having watched the show a few times over the years, Bambino says he believes Jamaica has a lot of talent to offer. As for the kind of judge he will be he said, "I can be a fun judge but also very judgmental. I can be picky when it comes to performers and persons delivering quality music. I'm an all-rounder, not just strict and not lenient, but very fun."