A section of the audience at the Digicel Rising Stars 10 performance show, held at TVJ Studio, Lyndhurst Road on Sunday night June 30. - Winston Sill photos

Ramion Williams in action.

Face Xpressions

Toya

Verlando plays his sax

Judges Craigy T, Tanya Stephens and Anthony Miller listen to one of the performers.

Sasonya Dawson

Kadian Thompson

Digicel's Rising Stars last night kicked off Season 10 on a positive note. However, the judges weren't quite pleased with the performances on the opening night.

Sporting the return of host Terri-Karelle Reid, two new judges and the return of hard-hitting Anthony Miller, the show seems poised to give viewers that authentic 'Rising Stars' formula that was missing over the last few years.

The first performance of the night came from Toya. She sang Kelly Clarkson's Because of You. She received a warm response from her fans in the audience. However, Miller made her his first victim of the night.

"I think it's safe to say that the show didn't start off with a bang. I was bewildered by your song selection," he said. Craigy T and Tanya Stephens, however, believed it was a fair effort for a first performance.

Tish Brown was the next in line, and he sang Speeding by Omarion. Craigy T said the performance did not wow the audience and Tanya Stephens said he did not bring his A game. To Tanya's comment, Miller's response was "Does he have any game at all?" The audience loved the apparent comedy.

Face Xpressionz, the only dance group to qualify to the finals, followed. They danced to Spartan Angel by Tommy Lee Sparta, among other songs in a medley format. Tanya Stephens felt the display was engaging. However, both Craigy T and Anthony Miller felt the dancing display was nothing different from their audition.

not fazed

Ramion Williams then faced his judgement, and he sang Here I Come by Dennis Brown. Miller was not fazed by the display and told Williams that he wanted more than just competence. Tanya thought the young singer was playing too safe, while Craigy T felt he should have put in more effort to entertain the audience.

Sasonya Dawson sang Girl On Fire by Alicia Keys. Craigy T loved the rendition and Miller said it was a spirited display, deserving a C pass. Tanya felt she brought more of what the judges were looking for, but added that there was still room for improvement.

Saxophonist Varlando was next and he played Alecia Keys If I Aint Got You. Anthony Miller commented that the standard wasn't very high and he barely hit the mark.

Kadian Thompson brought down curtains on 'Digicel Rising Stars' with her rendition of Eta James' At Last. Craigy T said he enjoyed it once she got into her groove and Anthony Miller, said, it was underwhelming like all the other performances. Tanya, however, was very optimistic. She said Kadian had potential and she hoped to see her in the next round.

'Rising Stars' continues next studio at the TVJ studios. The show is also aired on Fame 95 FM, while the voting numbers will be published in the STAR.