Season 6
The sixth season of Idols was announced by M-Net on 22 February, 2010. As in Season 5, auditionees could sing with backing musical accompaniment. Even though auditionees were still judged on their vocal abilities, prospective Idols were able to take musical instruments to the auditions.
Auditions began in Cape Town on 6 April, 2010 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. For the first time ever, the Idols team stopped over in Bloemfontein and, after a two-season break, the judges payed a visit to Port Elizabeth as well.
All South African citizens between the ages of 16 and 30 were eligible to enter the show.
Auditions took place on the following dates:
Cape Town
6 April, 2010 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre
Durban
17 April, 2010 at the Gateway shopping centre
Johannesburg
24 April, 2010 at the Sandton International Convention Centre
Port Elizabeth
2 May, 2010 at the Boardwalk shopping centre
Bloemfontein
8 May, 2010 at the Windmill entertainment centre
A total of 5,394 contestants entered for the sixth season of Idols - an improvement of more than 2,000 over Season 5's entries.
After the audition phase 98 finalists were chosen to take part in "theatre week" at Sun City, which began on 27 May, 2010. The cities were represented as follows:
Cape Town: 27
Durban: 20
Johannesburg: 25
Port Elizabeth: 13
Bloemfontein: 13
The Top 98 went to Sun City to go through the theatre phase of the competition - singing solo, singing in groups, harmonising and singing with and without accompaniment.
They were whittled down to a Top 14, who were put to the public vote.
There was also a 24-hour channel on DStv. After Sunday's premiere the Idols Extra 24/7 channel launched on DStv Channel 199 and featured all the audition footage filmed from auditions everywhere.
Prizes for the winner of this season of Idols included R500,000 in cash, a new Ford Figo and a recording contract with Sony Music.
The winner of Season 6 was Elvis Blue. The runner-up was L'loyd Cele.