THE fantastic five became the phenomenal four this week, as for the first time this season the contestant who was sent home was done so strictly on votes, or lack thereof, and with no input from the judges. The contestants who fell into the bottom two were ‘Mr Substantial Jermaine Michael, and the sweet and bubbly Toni Blair. After a few moments of suspense, it was announced that this was where Toni’s journey to becoming the next Digicel Rising Star ends.

Unlike previous weeks where a contestant simply told us goodbye, this week the memorable and charming Toni Blair was given a chance to sing her heart out for us one last time. Giving a soulful and heartfelt performance of He Gives Me Love, she touched many audience members and the judges, who enjoyed her performance and seemed sad to see her leave.

After Toni’s departure, the pace of the show quickly picked up, as the audience was informed that they would be treated to two performances from each contestant — a hit from the year they were born, and a chart-topping 2009/10 song. Also grabbing the audiences’ attention was the addition of the Digicel Rising Stars’ live band.

This week’s guest judge, Dancehall’s bad gyal, Ce’Cile, was an addition to the weekly trio of Anthony Miller, Nadine Sutherland and Clyde McKenzie.

And holding down the Chill Room this week was the Intense Chika, Pepita with her co-host, Spelling Bee champion and ‘Certified Diva’, Tifa.

Outstanding Performances

With each contestant performing twice, they were given two chances to wow the audience and impress the judges. And while some contestants may have missed both opportunities, two performances stood their ground.

Though Camaley’s performance left the judges warm, her Now performance of Demarco’s True Friends had the audience railing and singing along at the top of their voices, to the point where the judges said that they could barely hear her, and she admitted back stage that she couldn’t hear herself! And though Anthony ‘Killer’ Miller went on a rant about it being fake and not working with her image, Nadine felt that she rocked her performance, saying: “I have to give you Kudos, you are competing, you get inside of yourself no matter what you are singing, you bring out the drama, I mean this is not a song where you stand there and look beautiful, this is a rude boy song, and I got it!”

And guest judge Ce’Cile could see with her, as a fellow entertainer, “I was really surprised, I was really entertained, I feel like I wanted to say Weh mi real friend dem deh, big up all a mi real friend.

Dalton’s performance of Jodeci’s 1993 hit, Lately, moved the audience and the judges alike. Dalton, who has a track record within this competition certainly held his own on Sunday night. While Ce’Cile personally felt that it was the best performance of the night, calling it “Perfect”, and Nadine also felt that it was a true Rising Star performance, saying: “All who did a seh you done, you jus’ a come! You just quieted all the critics… you just sat there and I thought I was going to cry, I was moved by your performance!”

Fashion

The two remaining gentlemen again this week were looking very dapper in well tailored suits with bold colours and even bolder prints by Roj Designs, though a few audience members agreed with Ce’Cile when she stated that she thought they were young and hot, and should therefore dress as such. The ladies, on the other hand, did not rock the high fashion. but notable still were Camaley’s Army fatigue jacket, yellow skinny jeans and green Converse sneakers from her performance.

Judges Comment’s

While Killer Miller was on a war path, ripping apart the few remaining contestants, Clyde was also very sharp, finally landing some actually funny jokes.

After Camaley’s performance of 1983’s Making Love Out of Nothing at All, Miller dismissed her quickly and honestly when he said: “Sometimes you were a little screechy in that song, and I don’t think you made much out of nothing at all.”

And after Jermaine’s performance of 1983’s How Am I Supposed to Live Without You, Miller commented slyly, but almost apologetically, “The good thing is that… you are making more of a connection, but I hate that song, and I think you did mediocre tonight.”

And after Dalton’s hit Then performance, Clyde said jokingly, referring to Dalton’s unique suit, “Your tailor might not be your best friend, but I tell you something tonight, if you even sing a doctor’s prescription, it sound good!”