This week on Sunday, South Africa’s Top 9 Idols contestants will share the stage with an international Idol of note: nine-time Grammy Award winner John Legend!

Legend is in town to perform at a special Women’s Month concert at the Sandton Convention Centre Friday evening [10 August], where Idols judge Unathi Msengana and SAMA winners MiCasa will be the supporting artists. But the singer-songwriter of immortal hits such as “Ordinary People” and “Stay With You” will also open the Top 9 Spectacular Idols Show at the Mosaiek Theatre in Fairlands, from where the remaining Idols contestants will vie for the public’s vote.

Helping the contestants prepare for their big moment in the limelight, multi-faceted local music sensation Tamara Dey has spent some time with them this week.

“This season, part of the Idols journey is to be mentored by some of the best musicians in the business, not only in the finer touches of performance but also in the tricks of the trade,” explains M-Net’s Head of Communications, Lani Lombard. “The Top 10 had access to Louise Carver, now it’s Tamara Dey and in the forthcoming weeks we’ll see how more phenomenal local musicians offer up their time to guide the Idols. It’s incredible to see how the best in the business are getting involved with Idols SA.”

The theme for the Top 9 Spectacular is “New Millennium hits”.