With the grand final of the 2024 Jamaica Gospel Star competition scheduled to take place this Sunday, August 4 at the Independence Village, National Indoor Sports Centre complex, the remaining five finalists are upbeat and ready to unleash their musical artistry.

Shauna-Kaye McArthur, who was eliminated last week and brought back by the judges to compete in the finals — the judges used the ‘Saved by Grace’ feature, whereby they select a contestant they believe deserves a second chance — says she is happy to be heading into the finals.

“Wow, I really feel blessed to be given a second chance to showcase what I can do. The experience so far has been an incredible one; I’ve learnt so much in a short time. I really enjoy the advice that I have gotten from the production crew, the vocal trainers, as well as the musicians,” McArthur told the Jamaica Observer on Friday.

McArthur, who resides in Hellshire, Portmore, is a background singer, and she felt that entering the competition would help in building on her confidence.

“I was encouraged by my friends from church and family members to enter the Jamaica Gospel Star. I am a background singer, and I wanted to build my confidence from this competition,” said McArthur.

Kenneka Rust, who resides in Vineyard Town, St Andrew, says the competition caught her attention after she began watching it on television during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I always wanted to do something like this and I took a leap of faith and I made it into the top 10, and now I am one of the finalists,” said Rust who describes the journey as an eye-opener.

“The journey has been a dynamic one, very interesting, and an eye-opener to what it takes to make it in this business. My quiet time with the Lord has kept me; my relationship and intimacy with him has kept me focused through this journey,” Rust shared.

Seeking to give God’s ministry some exposure, Jaida Messam decided to take the advice of her friends and enter the competition.

“For me, the experience has been quite exciting, a little challenging with traveling back and forth. But vocally, I have not been stretched like that before, and it has made me step outside of my comfort zone,” said Messam, who hails from the John’s Hall District in St James.

“To have made it this far in the competition is an overwhelming feeling, and I am grateful,” Messam added.

Could the second time be the charm for Port Antonio resident Donica Dennis Chambers? She entered last year and decided to take another shot at the title.

“I am elated to be among the finalists this year. Last year I entered and didn’t make it to the top 10. This time, I just felt I could do much better; that’s why I re-entered. I wanted to prove to myself and those who believe in me, that if I put my mind to it I can make something of myself,” Chambers shared.

She added: “It has been a bit challenging with campaigning and getting the votes, but, overall, it has been a great experience.”

Darren Grant, the sole male competitor left in the finals, says he wanted to use the Jamaica Gospel Star platform to highlight his ministry.

“It’s been a blessing, and I feel excited being the only male left in the competition. I was actually in my home studio one day scrolling through the Internet and I came across an advertisement for the competition. My ministry is well-known in the western end of the island, and I was looking for a way to get it known in other areas of Jamaica. But as the competition progressed, I realised it was something bigger. The experience has been good,” said Grant who hails from Lucea in Hanover.

The finalists are competing for the grand prize of $1 million and the title of Jamaica Gospel Star 2024.

Immediately following the announcement of the winner, the Jamaica Praise edition will take place, which features a host of Jamaica’s biggest gospel acts, among them Johnmark Wiggan, Alicia Taylor, Rhoda Isabella, Kevin Downswell, and Chevelle Franklyn.