One of the Rising Stars contestant belts out a tune in the hopes of receiving a coveted pink slip, and a spot in the top ten of Kingston's Rising Stars during the auditions held at the National Stadium in Kingston, on Sunday. - Photo by Nathaniel Stewart

Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

It was calm on Sunday morning as contestants sat solemnly while others practised their songs, waiting for the start of Digicel's Rising Stars audition held at the Knutsford Court Hotel.

The arrival of judges Nadine Sutherland, Clyde McKenzie and Anthony Miller ushered in the slew of contestants who made it past the first day which saw approximately 1,400 hopefuls.

From the beginning it was evident that the judges had their work cut out for them, Kingston proved full of talented contestants. As The Gleaner watched from a small distance, powerful voices could be heard carried across the courtyard.

One young lady decked out in pink performed John Legend's Stay With You, she was the first to receive a coveted slip from the judges. A number of other females tested their skills, but while they sounded good to most, the judges were the hardest to impress; some contestants after making it through the first day feeling hopeful, left with long faces on Sunday. There were others who were not so pleasant. One such lady in a short black evening dress was heard cursing judge Anthony Miller on her way out of the venue.

Opera skills

Most contestants had good voices, but there were a few powerhouses especially among the females who grabbed attention.

One lady showed off her opera skills, singing a rendition from The Phantom Of The Opera, she got a slip, as well as another female who wowed the onlookers with her deep and soulful voice.

As the day progressed, it was the antics of one young DJ who really brought some activity to the day. With rap-like hand antics, the man deejayed "watching Rising Stars on TVJ, it bad eeh, how many years of Rising Stars, we rising far." Unfortunately, despite being a crowd favourite, his antics did not land him a slip from the judges and he was sent home. As the day progressed the slips became few and far between, to the point where when a contestant received a slip he/she was applauded by the watching crowd.

The second day of auditions were more toned down, as the originality in dress, style and lyrics were lacking. For the females, skinny jeans, matching shirts and heels were the order of the day. There were also few originals but John Legend, Celine Dion and other Rising Stars 'classics' were the most popular.

By evening after many tears, fallen dreams and new hopes - only ten remained to compete to be Jamaica's newest rising star.