Idols Season 9 gets down to business this week when the 8 guys who made it past grumpy Randal, Simon Cowell (sorry we mean Gareth Cliff) and Miss Crying Unathi in this year’s audition phases sing for South Africa’s votes for the first time at the State Theatre in Pretoria on Sunday.
Voting lines open on Sunday at 17:30 and will close on Monday at 22:00. On Tuesday, 17 September, during this season's first live Results Show, we will find out who is one step closer to becoming South Africa's next Idol.
The guys chose and will be interpreting hits that have made waves on radio charts.
Benjamin Tainton (19) is singing Avicii’s mega-hit Wake Me Up.
Brendan Ledwaba (19) will perform his interpretation of Rihanna’s Stay.
Innocent Mabushe (27) is singing the party song of the season, Daft Punk’s Get Lucky.
Jonathan "Jono" Johansen (16) is performing Millionaires by The Script.
Lee-Ron Malgas (18) is singing Harriet Jones from R&B star Eric Benet.
Makhosonke "Sonke" Mazibuko (21) chose Rihanna’s Diamonds.
Philip Dube (20) will ask people to believe when he sings R. Kelly’s Believe In Me.
And lastly, Musa Sukwene (26) will add his flair to Chris Brown’s Don’t Judge Me.
Whether they chose the right songs or not, the 8 boys in the Idols SA Top 16 will soon find out. I hope Unathi keeps her crying to one guy per show. I am also a little concerned about a guy singing a Rihanna song but, hey, Brendan and Sonke might surprise us.
Charis Apelgren