Wilks. hit all the right notes

Sunday's instalment of the 2007 season of Digicel Rising Stars was arguably the most memorable so far, as each contestant, performing twice, gave excellent performances.
First they went back in time, delivering a song from the year they were born, then performing their favourite hit song from 2006 or 2007.

The dynamic Lenya Wilks led the performances with a superb rendition of Regina Belle's 1990 mega hit Make It Like It Was. Clad in a stylish yellow blouse and khaki pants, Wilks, known all season for her tremendous vocal range, hit all the right notes. "Bwoy, a just love her," one man in the audience commented loudly.

Virgo. had the ladies screaming

Inga Stewart was equally energetic and confident in her performance of Patsy Layne's 1977 hit Crazy, complimenting her vocals with her command of the stage.

The show got even hotter with Jodian Pantry singing her way back into the competition. Pantry, who had been criticised in the past by the judges for being stiff, showed a different side of her stage persona, enhancing her preformance of Marcia Griffiths' Feel Like Jumping with sensuous dance moves.
"This is what we want to see, Jodian," said judge Nadine Sutherland. "You were just brilliant."

Romain Virgo also went reggae and he had the ladies screaming and singing along to his rendition of Maxi Priest's 1990 hit Just A Little Bit Longer. Virgo's performance was well-received by the judges, with Clyde McKenzie telling the talented teen: "You can really sing."

Stewart. was energetic and confident

The second round, in which the contestants were required to perform a hit song released in the last two years, opened with Wilks maintaining her standing as one of the show's best.

The talented vocalist went jazz with Amy Winehouse's chart topper Rehab; Pantry was on a roll with Rihanna's Umbrella; Stewart left the audience speechless with Below The Waist, a current hit by Queen Ifrica; while Virgo closed with a sublime performance of the Seasons Rhythm's medley.

"The performances were superb; it's the best show I have seen all season," said KIKI, resident host of the Chill Room. "I am happy that I was here to witness it, and to feel the vibe and intensity of the studio audience who loved it. I will be watching to see who is voted off this Friday as no one contestant stood out as a weak performer."

Pantry. showed a different side of her stage persona

Sunday's show will be rebroadcast today at 10:00 am and tomorrow at 10:30 pm on TVJ. The phone lines are already open for voting. Viewers can help to keep their favourite contestants in the running with just a text message or a call, while winning for themselves some great prizes. Each week, four voters will win either a first prize of a Sony Ericsson W200 and $10,000 call credit courtesy of Digicel, second prize of a Pepsi Cooler Kit, third prize of a $15,000 gift certificate from NCB and a fourth prize weekend for two at The Knutsford Court Hotel.

The result show will air this Friday at 8:30 pm on TVJ.
This year's Digicel Rising Stars winner will receive the grand prize of $1,000,000, two singles produced and distributed by Greensleeves, a music video and $100,000 call credit from Digicel.

Second place will receive $600,000, a single produced and distributed by Greensleeves, a music video and $100,000 call credit from Digicel. Third place will receive a $400,000 cash prize, a single produced and distributed by Greensleeves and $50,000 call credit from Digicel.

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