21-year-old student Sanele Mkhize lost his footing in the Idols race last night when he was voted out by viewers, leaving nine wannabes on the line.
Here's a recap of events by the show:
This week’s theme of Judges’ Choice pitted the four judges against each other in a duel for bragging rights as the one with the most songs chosen.
The first person to breathe a sigh of relief and make the Top 9 was Terra Cox, who was so overwhelmed he was left speechless. He soon found his voice though when he opened up the stage with New Flame by Chris Brown, which was chosen Randall.
Host Proverb then announced the next contestant. Noma, the often shy teacher’s assistant with the sparkling voice, became the first girl of the Top 9. Her song choice was Rihanna’s Russian Roulette picked by Somizi. Gareth did not mince his words and declared her his favourite contestant for Season 12.
Tebogo was up next and could hardly contain his excitement when his name was called. His performance of Black Coffee’s Superman feat. Bucie - chosen by Unathi - had the Unathi bubbling with glee and gushing his praises. Even Randall called it his best performance EVER on any season of Idols.
The dimutive Nosihe performed next, singing John Legend’s All of Me which was chosen by Unathi, which put in the lead on the scoreboard. A confident and relaxed Nosihe breathed new life into this popular wedding ballad, which solicited a smile of gratitude from Randall. “Thank you. You reinvented the song, and I’m going to go out on a limb and say this is my performance of the night,” he declared.
To give everyone a reprieve from the tension, the State Theatre in Pretoria was momentarily turned into a nightclub when DJ Mshega and Busi N performed their banger Get Down. It was a much-needed but short-lived break as Proverb returned to business.
When Bevin’s name was called, the teen’s relief was palpable after last week’s comments from the judges left him in danger. This week’s song choice, which finally got Gareth onto the scoreboard, was Justin Bieber’s Love Yourself. It received an all-round nod of approval from the judges.
The next name to be called was Lucia who looked every bit the glamorous pop star. She performed Breathe Again by Toni Braxton, a second song suggestion from Randall that tied him with Unathi on the scoreboard. The judges’ reactions were a mixed bag – Randall said it smouldered, Somizi said it didn’t take off for him, it was in a safe space for Unathi and Gareth called it magic.
Claiming his spot in the Top 9 next was Keegan, who burst a move when his name was called out. His song? Kiss It Better by Rihanna. It was a slow sensuous showcase that had the audience on their feet, clapping and screaming. The judges heaped praise on him yet again, with Somizi predicting he will be in the finale.
The bubbly Valentine made the Top 9 with one more seat to spare. Her song choice was Alicia Keyes’ Doesn’t Mean Anything. Gareth, who suggested the anthemic slow jam, said he believed anyone who chose it would be brave. “And you, Valentine, are brave. That was magical!”
With Thami and Sanele as the last two standing, you could cut the tension with a knife. Both had not had the best performance the previous week, but South Africa spoke and voted to give Thami another chance.
After his name was called, Thami promised Mzansi that he will never forget his lyrics again. He then performed his heart out as he sang Robbie Malinga’s Sobabili, leaving his all on stage. The long applause, standing ovation and chanting made it clear that Mzansi had forgiven him.
Unathi, who had suggested Thami’s song, was pronounced the 2016 winner of the Judges’ Choice competition, gaining her bragging rights for the rest of the season.
Next week, the Top 9 will be shaved to eight when the voting public have their say on who stays and who goes.