On Saturday night (6 November), Popstars built-up to the big reveal of 2010's winning group ...
... who are:
Lihle Ngongoma, Zinhle Dube, Lyle Volkwyn and Oscar Toorn.
Now known as the group Nne-Vida.
Before each of them heard the pop of their new destiny, the episode featured the judges deliberating round the Top 10.
As they discussed their choices, they were uninamous about one thing specifically, that there would be four in the group.
We assume they chose this number 4 these reasons:
1) It's not big enough to fall apart, but big enough to remain should one member turn diva.
2) Five would include the Pam Andrews Factor i.e a trouble-maker at the centre.
3) There were too many possibilities to make a group of three, which Azania and PJP mentioned while discussing things.
4) Three would be too samey to Jamali.
Once they'd reached their final decision they split up to deliver the most emotional moments of the season: telling the wannabe's who will-be and who won't.
First to hear the bad news of "no" was Bongiwe Silinda, who was the biggest surprise to us - we were convinced that she'd make it. The strength of her voice, her personality, her previous experience and her handling of the press has been consistently firey and confident.
She handled the news well enough, giving a small tear-crunch, tucked between a cocktail of Uni friends and then Zwai, who squashed her.
In contrast to Bongiwe, Busisiwe Thwala was more overtly gutted by the news. Her mom clung to her hand as Azania build-up to the verdict and when she heard her "no" she collapsed into her family in tears.
Which proves that it's much better to hear bad news with friends than with family. Azania said that she was pleased her mom was with Busi but in our experience it's much more emotionally draining and unecessary.
With friends you feel you need to put on a "front" whereas with close family you can be yourself and wear your heart on your sleeve, which is gutting and exhausting.
Four more absorbed the bad news after the double-B's: Chrystal Worship, Co-B Wyngaard, Khanyisa Bukubukwana and Ndu Shezi.
As each of the judges told them and encouraged them to continue their singing careers we were struck by the situation that faces them now: what do they practically do? How do they use this experience and exposure to their advantage?
The biggest challange for talent show contestants - and even former winners - is to surround themselves with people who'll assist them in maximising their potential.
There's a huge gap in South Africa for good managers and agents who won't let their singers and actors down. If you think you have what it takes to be one - go for it: start a reality, talent management company. It's needed.
In between the six "no's", the four winners found themselves on the flipside of the emotional yo-yo:
Oscar, his DW and DD.
Lyle and his family. All we kept thinking is what sweet revenge it is for what happened to him on High School Musical. Can you remember the name of the winner of that show? Nope.
Most heart-gripping was Zinhle. We've known how much it means to her since she got so emotional, saying that she wants to win to buy her mom a house.
Seeing where she lives, why she felt so strongly about it and then experiencing her dreams become reality and the impact on her family ...
... highlight moment, mixed with so much duality: happiness for the future, yet gutting that this has been her family's reality until now.
The group's name was introduced very quickly at the end of the episode - we've investigated for more about it and discovered that the foursome came up with it themselves. It was a toss-up between this and Phase 4.
Phase 4 was obviously intended to refer to the size of the group and also their position in the series, being the fourth season and fourth winning group.
They decided to go with Nne-Vida, which boldly makes the promise to us that they won't ever disappear or fold because it means "4 Life".
Nne means "4" in Swahili and Vida means "life" in various languages including Portuguese and Spanish. Your take? Hott or not?
Right now, in 4:
1) Tracks from their album are being released on radio as from this Monday - as a soft release, meaning that they won't be on sale nationally yet. We were stumped when we heard too.
The album will get radio airplay and be available for sale at venues when the group tours, but it'll only be in shops in January 2011 - when it should be in stores for Christmas.
All the big international reality shows ensure that their winning albums are out for the festive season, for the vibe, gifts, for when people are spending.
2) They also have their first gig's lined up: this Friday they go on tour to Durban for a four-day tour, of five performances. They'll be touring Jozi shortly after. We'll keep you posted on venues and dates.
3) Their tour then pauses so that they can film the video for their single Backup. They'll be filming this between 15 and 28 November, with corporate gigs in between.
4) Their website has just gone live, this weekend: Nne-Vida.
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