Last night the Idols Season 8 Top 7 teamed up with the world famous Drakensberg Boys Choir from KwaZulu-Natal for a very special “Inspirational” Choral Spectacular, delivering a unique twist on some great pop anthems.

To help them prepare for this extravaganza the Idols spent the week rehearsing with a musical mentor who knows a thing or two about memorable pop anthems, South Africa’s award-winning and platinum-selling songstress, Lira.

After a group performance of Fun’s “We Are Young” by the entire Top 7 and the choir, Simphiwe Gwegwe (23) kicked off the competition with the R. Kelly anthem, “Sign Of A Victory”. Idols judge Gareth Cliff said normally at this stage he would advise an Idol not to believe his own hype, “but after a performance like that I’m just going to let you soak it all up!” he allowed. “I thought we peaked when we had John Legend,” Unathi Msengana raved. “But tonight, Simpiwe, with that performance…!” She thought it was Simphiwe’s best performance of the season so far. But as always Randall Abrahams struck the note of dissent. “There’s no question that you’re good,” he admitted, “But in terms of the subtlety and the vocal shading, you’re up against some fine other contenders.” To vote for Simphiwe text the number 05 to 37400, or vote online or on MXit.

For her big choral moment Tshidi Tenyane (29) from Thokoza chose Mary J. Blige’s big hit with George Michael, “As”. “I’m really happy you chose that song and you did it beautifully,” Gareth said. “I love the way you hold your power,” he said. “You’re a genius.” “You took me back to church,” Unathi noted, “I could have listened to you for hours.” And Randall Abrahams admitted that he gets criticised for being too hard on some of the other contestants, “but let’s face it,” he said, “there are things you’ve already forgotten that they’ve still got to learn.” To vote for Tshidi text the number 10 to 37400, or vote online or on MXit.

Monde Msutwana (30) from Pretoria found himself in the Bottom 3 last week but this week he hoped to triumph with the old Prince classic, “Purple Rain”. “That song can expose someone and make them very vulnerable,” Gareth pointed out. “I don’t feel that was your best. It was an 8 and it should have been a 10.” But Unathi was pleasantly surprised. “It was smart of you not to emulate Prince but to show what your vocal capabilities are,” she said. “To be honest with a song like this you have to be great, and you have to be great all the time,” Randall thought, “and I think this song did leave you very vulnerable this week.” To vote for Monde text the number 03 to 37400, or vote online or on MXit.

Jozi boy Dominic Neill (19), who has survived three consecutive Results Shows in the Bottom 3, chose Coldplay’s “Paradise” to hopefully propel him into Top 3 territory this week. “I think all these weeks in the Bottom 3 are maybe getting to you,” Gareth said. “You’re trying too hard now.” Unathi agreed, noting that the power of the mind is significant for performers. “I agree with Gareth you were very excited. As a performer you need to still find yourself,” she said. “I imagine you’ll be in the Bottom 3 again,” Randall predicted. To vote for Dominic text the number 06 to 37400, or vote online or on MXit.

Seventeen-year-old Shekhinah “Sheki” Donnell from Durban had Randall on his feet, applauding and shaking his head in wonder, with her performance of the Macy Gray hit “I Try”. “Lira was right – this was a great song choice for you,” Gareth said. “Your youth counts for you,” Unathi said. “You know what’s popular.” “I thought that every moment of that was really good,” Randall praised. “That was fantastic.” To vote for Sheki text the number 09 to 37400, or vote online or on MXit.

25-year-old Khaya Mthethwa from Durban chose a song with hopefully meaningful lyrics to his Idols journey, R. Kelly’s “I Am The World’s Greatest”. “Hmm-hmm-hmm,” is how Gareth indicated his approval. “It’s so beautiful to see that your focus is back,” said Unathi. “You reminded me of uKhaya that I met in Durban and that I loved so much,” she reflected. “It is wonderful and awe-inspiring.” Even Randall called it “an exceedingly polished performance.” But he also offered a word of advice: “The one thing that you’ve got to consider is that this is an amateur competition – the viewers tends to side with the ones that are not as polished,” he warned. To vote for Khaya text the number 08 to 37400, or vote online or on MXit.

And P.E. beauty Melissa Allison (23) closed the show tonight with Aretha Franklin and Annie Lennox’s big hit from the Eighties, “Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves”. “Something didn’t sit right with me, it felt corny,” Gareth noted. “It felt old. And I’m worried that you’re going to be in the Bottom 3 this week.” Unathi said she understood what Gareth meant. “But in terms of a vocal performance it was spot-on,” she thought. Randall agreed that certain songs are time-bound. “That message is a very Eighties message, he noted. “Having said that, over the past two weeks you have improved dramatically,” he encouraged Melissa. To vote for Melissa text the number 07 to 37400, or vote online or on MXit.

The voting lines for the Top 7 Spectacular opened at the start of tonight’s show and will close at 22:00 on Monday, 27 August. The results of the vote will be announced in the live Top 7 Results Show at the Mosaïek Teatro on Tuesday, 28 August, at 19:30, which will also feature a special performance from this week’s mentor, Lira!