Press Release
Twitter favourite Kyle Deutschmann (27), the tall, handsome chiropractor from Durban, fell short of his Idols dream just three weeks before the end goal when he received the fewest of the more than 2.6 million votes cast by Idols fans this week, and was sent packing at the State Theatre in Pretoria last night.
Kyle, who has also played on the South African national beach soccer team in his day, came to Idols fresh from collaborating on Cassper Nyovest’s megahit album, “Tsholofelo”, and instantly became a favourite with the fans as well as the judges. Just last week Gareth Cliff singled him out as his favourite performer in both rounds of the Top 5 show.
“It was definitely worth it, Kyle told Idols host ProVerb, and he revealed that he already has some music ready to release. “This will not be the last South Africa will see of me,” he said.
After Kyle's departure the remaining Top 4 gave it all they got with performances of Old School and New School hits that they selected from songs suggested by Idols fans on WeChat.
Under the musical mentorship of R&B and House singer Bucie, Cape Town’s
London Louw (24) prepared the Tina Turner classic, “What’s Love Got To Do With It”, for his opening number.
Gareth Cliff predicted that London would make it through to the Top 3 if he keeps performing like this.
“For me this is your best performance of the season because you weren’t trying to be perfect on the stage,” said Unathi Msengana, “you were letting your soul speak.”
“This was like George Michael doing Tina Turner – it was very, very good,” said Randall Abrahams.
For his second round performance London chose Duffy’s “Mercy”, suggested on WeChat by a user named “Precious”. Gareth said at first he dreaded hearing this song again, but then he thought that “Precious” should maybe choose the songs every Sunday from now on.
Unathi said it was very different from London’s first performance and “that’s what we need to see when you’ve got a 25% chance of winning the competition,” she said. “I think you’ve got more than a 25% chance,” Randall responded, to cheers from the audience. “That was probably your most consummate performance.”
To vote for London fans can text his voting number for the duration of the competition,
02, to 37400, or dial *120*33033# Fans can also vote for free on WeChat or on the Idols mobi site or on the Idols X website at
www.mnet.co.za/idolssa.
For his first round performance the worship leader from Pietermaritzburg,
Vincent Bones (30) selected a South African classic, “Sondela” by Ringo Madlingozi.
“I’m so happy to see you smiling,” said Gareth, as the audience roared its approval. “Beautiful delivery, great song choice,” he praised. “Perfect song choice, perfect performance, perfect vocals, perfect interpretation ...” said Unathi.
Randall noted that he was glad to see Vincent enjoying performing a happy song and having fun with it. “I think you’ve got to keep doing that in the weeks to come,” he advised.”
Vincent turned up the heat with his second-round song, Usher’s “Climax”, suggested by WeChat user Aeesha Gabriels.
Vincent’s baby son KristJan joined the judges at their desk and Gareth “translated” that KJ thought his daddy was wonderful.
“Fantastic”, Unathi said. But Randall thought Vincent’s first performance was better. The falsetto, for me, didn’t work,” he commented.
To vote for Vincent B fans can text his voting number for the duration of the competition,
09, to 37400, or dial *120*33033# Fans can also vote for free on WeChat or on the Idols mobi site or on the Idols X website at
www.mnet.co.za/idolssa.
Lize Mynhardt (21) from Stellenbosch chose Michael Jackson’s “The Way You Make Me Feel” for her first round Old School number.
Gareth observed that Lize has a little bit of an “attitude” that he likes. “I’m glad you’re still here,” he told her.
Unathi pointed out that being so close to the final seems to have spurred all the contestants on to greater heights. She thought Lize had stepped out of her comfort zone.
But Randall said he had to disagree with his fellow judges. “The arrangement was bigger than you, you were not leading it,” he protested. “It was not ring-a-ding-ding.”
Lize’s second song was WeChat user Sean-re Morkel’s suggestion, the Michael Bublé hit “Feeling Good”.
Gareth said he loves the Nina Simone version of this song, not the Bublé one, “and that’s what yours reminded me of, Nina Simone, so I loved it,” he said.
Unathi thought that Lize had brought a jazz standard into the pop arena. “You had command of the entire song,” she said.
Randall thought it was much better than her first performance, “but I think that the song choice this week is going to be detrimental to you getting further in this competition,” he predicted.
To vote for Lize fans can text her voting number for the duration of the competition,
08, to 37400, or dial *120*33033#
Fans can also vote for free on WeChat or on the Idols mobi site or on the Idols X website at
www.mnet.co.za/idolssa.
Last but not least in the first round, Nelspruit’s
Bongi Silinda (24) gave a blistering interpretation of Brenda Fassie’s “Too Late For Mama”.
“It’s storytelling, and you’re a master of storytelling,” said Gareth. “I think Ma Brrr would be very pleased.”
“I think what you did with this song was something I’ve wanted you to do for a couple of weeks now, which is
be the song,” said Unathi.
“Bongi, great performance,” Randall said simply. “I expected theatre – I got passion.”
And Bongi closed the show with her New School hit, Keri Hilson’s “Knock You Down”, suggested by WeChat user Carrie Ross.
“I like that, I just wonder if it’s your genre,” said Gareth. “Versatility all around!” Unathi approved.
Even Randall thought that Bongi should thank the viewer who recommended that song for her. “I don’t think it’s 25% each - I think some people have more change than others,” he said enigmatically.
To vote for Bongi fans can text her voting number for the duration of the competition,
01, to 37400, or dial *120*33033# Fans can also vote for free on WeChat or on the Idols mobi site or on the Idols X website at
www.mnet.co.za/idolssa.
And then ProVerb announced the Idols Season 10 surprise of a lifetime - the Top 4 are winging their way to London tomorrow for a few days out of the Idols house.
Voting for the Top 4 performances opened at the start of tonight’s show and closes at 22:00 on Tuesday, 4 November.
The results will be announced in next Sunday’s Spectacular (9 November), when one of the Top 4 contestants will be sent home.