Idols SA announces top 10

The announcement follows two weeks of stellar performances from the top 12, with over 7.5 million viewer votes received. Hope and Nandi were eliminated leaving behind CeeJay, Kabelo, Lerato, Mpilwenhle, Noxolo, Nozi, Tesmin-Robyn, Thapelo, Ty Loner, and Zee.

Mpilwenhle kicked-off performances with Amanda Black’s song ‘Kahle’ and received unanimous praise from the judges. Somizi Mhlongo said: “You are living your name: impilo yinhle (life is good). You deserve to be where you are.”

JR Bogopa added: “Clearly, South Africa did not make a mistake. You were born for that stage.” 

Up next was Thapelo, who sang Celine Dion’s ‘All By Myself’. The judges were impressed with his performance, with Thembi Seete saying: “I know why Mzansi is falling in love with you – it’s because you are yourself. The approach you took to the song was perfect for you.”

Tesmin-Robyn sang Moneoa’s ‘More Than You’, and got a lukewarm response from the judges. Somizi called the performance “safe”, with JR saying: “You were a bit timid, there was nothing that was ‘wow’ for me.”

Zee performed ‘Jik’izinto’ by Zonke and received a tough feedback from Somizi who said she took the youthfulness out of the song while Thembi said: “The reason we are so hard on you is because we know what you are capable of.”

JR advised Zee: “The right songs need to land in your lap. This voice is designed to be unique. Find that lane.”

Kabelo received mixed responses from the judges after performing Anthony Hamilton’s ‘Her Heart’. “You need to work on those nerves because they are stopping a good thing from happening. This week was not great,” Thembi said.

JR concured: “This is not a high school talent show. You need to give us a little bit more.” But Somizi loved the performance: “You did what needed to be done for that song.” 

Next was Lerato, who sang Tank’s ‘I Can’t Make You Love Me’. JR said: “You need to learn to listen to yourself a bit more. There wasn’t a lot of control in your voice.”

Somizi echoed this: “You were scared to go to that place, vocally. You need to anticipate the high notes and the low notes.”

Ty Loner performed Idols SA season 6 runner-up Lloyd Cele’s ‘Thando’, to a mostly positive response from the judges.

Somizi said: “If I said your performance was not nice, I would be doing witchcraft. You chose a song that was perfect for your voice and your style.” Thembi praised Ty for his versatility, while JR wasn’t moved.

Noxolo earned her a standing ovation from JR and Somizi following her performance of Jazmine Sullivan’s ‘Masterpiece (Mona Lisa)’. “Your vocal range is quite unmatched. You showed us depth,” said JR, while Somizi called it “the performance of the night”.

Thembi said: “You are what we call the underdog. Most of us didn’t see this diva coming.”

Nozi sang Jennifer Hudson’s ‘Giving Myself’, reducing Thembi to tears: “Stay vulnerable because it translates to your work,” she said while Somizi got on stage to congratulate her. An ecstatic JR said: “We might as well shut down the show because Idols is done.”

CeeJay ended the show with a performance of John Legend’s ‘Tonight’. Somizi called the performance “safe”, saying: “From next week, it’s survival of the fittest.” Thembi called it a “decent performance, but not great”, while JR said CeeJay had reached his ceiling.

It’s up to the voters to determine who will make it into the next round of the live music competition.

Audience tickets for the Idols SA live shows can be purchased here. Idols SA can be viewed on DStv channel 161 on Sundays from 5.30pm CAT. For more information, visit the Idols SA official website.