22-year-old Elwira Standili discovered that showbiz offers no guarantees whatsoever when she got the chop on Idols on Sunday (4 October).
Elwira, who gave up her studies to be on the show, lost her spot after the Top 9 spent two hours torturing us with 80s hits.
Here's what the judges had to say about those who were saved to make the Top 8:
The first person called to the stage, who received enough votes to stay, was Loyiso who performed Bobby McFerrin’s Don’t Worry Be Happy.
“I think it’s terrific. That’s exactly what everybody’s got to do to make this work tonight,” said Gareth Cliff.
“You make me happy!” said a broadly grinning Somizi Mhlongo, and Unathi Msengana told Loyiso that he fulfilled what an artist’s purpose is tonight. “I’m sure the entire country is happy, she laughed. “I’m sure the entire continent is happy.”
You can vote for Loyiso:
- by SMSing his voting number
09 to 37400 (SMS's are charged at R1.50/SMS, limited to 100 votes per cellphone number).
- via USSD by dialing *120*33033# (Calls are charged at R1,50 per minute, limited to 200 votes per cellphone number).
- via WeChat (for free) (100 times per cellphone number).
- the official mobile site or
Idols SA website (also free and 100 times per cellphone number for each valid voting period).
Amanda kept it local with the South African track Paradise Road by Joy.
“I never get tired of hearing that song,” said Gareth. “It wasn’t perfect, but I’m very happy that you made it through here tonight, and that you were able to sing that song for us.”
Somizi said it was one of his favourite songs, and Amanda’s performance was okay. “I think you did a safe job,” he said. But Unathi thought it was better than “safe”.
“Amanda, you’re a really, really good singer,” said Randall. “But the competition isn’t only about singing, it’s about votes.” He felt that Amanda could have given a bigger dramatic performance of the song.
You can vote for Amanda:
- by SMSing her voting number
03 to 37400 or via the other options previously listed.
The third hopeful who made it through was
Lungisa who performed one of Cindy Lauper’s 1983 hit Time After Time.
“I’ve never heard that song done in such a fresh way,” said Gareth and both he and Somizi had words of praise for the backup vocalists. “I think it’s the best version I’ve ever heard,” he said. “Like stolen condensed milk in a tin ...”. “Soos kondensmelk,” Unathi agreed.
But trust Randall to point out that if everybody loved the backup vocals so much, Lungisa didn’t do enough to capture the audience.
You can vote for Lungisa:
- by SMSing his voting number
07 to 37400 or via the other options previously listed.
Siphelele made it through to the Top 8, despite musical director RJ’s concerns about his performance last week. He performed Lionel Richie’s Oscar-winning 1985 song Say You, Say Me, from the movie White Nights.
Gareth thought it sounded dated and Somizi thought maybe Siphelele should rather have chosen a vernacular song. “No more English!” he ranted passionately.
But Unathi disagreed vehemently. “I think we do you a disservice when we tell you not to try,” she said. And Randall pointed out that Eighties ballads are big – “when you have your moment you have to go for it.”
You can vote for Siphelele:
- by SMSing his voting number
04 to 37400 or via the other options previously listed.
21-year-old Rhema
performed Simply Red’s Grammy-winning 1989 ballad If You Don’t Know Me By Now.
Gareth praised Rhema’s unique, individual sounds and Somizi was beside himself. “You speak to the heart and into the soul!” he raved until words failed him. “You really are finding yourself and its beautiful,” said Unathi. “You’re cooler than ice, man.”
Randall thought it was the best song choice of the evening, but he did note that Rhema got some of the phrasing wrong at the beginning.
You can vote for Rhema:
- by SMSing his voting number
06 to 37400 or via the other options previously listed.
Dineo
tackled the Bryan Adams ballad Heaven, from his 1984 album Reckless, but with the 2002 DJ Sammy dance remix approach.
Gareth thought it was a beautiful, gentle, well-thought-through performance. Somizi said Dineo is a perfect all-rounder.
“That was a considerably considered performance,” said Unathi. And Randall said that’s what he meant when he told Amanda earlier that she had to give a bigger performance. “
That was a performance,” he said.
You can vote for Dineo:
- by SMSing her voting number
05 to 37400 or via the other options previously listed.
Karabo was the next contestant to make it to the Top 8 and his 80s moment was the 1985 hit Last Christmas from the pop duo Wham.
“You can probably sing anything but there was something disjointed with that,” Gareth complained. “There was something not right.”
Somizi thought it night have been nerves, or that fact that Karabo was so close to the end of the show. “You were depressed, my love,” he noted. But Unathi was confused because “this is a sad song!” she protested. And Randall agreed that he was happy Karabo did not try to emulate George Michael’s iconic rendition. “You were really, really good,” he said.
You can vote for Karabo:
- by SMSing his voting number
02 to 37400 or via the other options previously listed.
And after saying goodbye to Elwira, Mmatema
survived to make it to the Top 8 and she closed the show with Brenda Fassie’s 1986 hit Weekend Special.
“It was all perfect,” said a happy Gareth and Somizi loved that she wasn’t trying to be Brenda Fassie, but she made the song her own. “You’re so professional,” said Unathi. “Well done.” And Randall commended her on being able to perform in any style.
You can vote for Mmatema:
- by SMSing his voting number
10 to 37400 or via the other options previously listed.
Voting for the Top 8 opened during the course of Sunday's live broadcast and closes at 22h00 on Tuesday, 6 October.
The result of this week’s vote will be announced during next weekend's live show on Sunday, 11 October.