The Idols SA final two, Vincent B and Bongi, put in a lot of work to make their mark on the show. We applaud them for their effort and may the best contestant win on Sunday.
That said, it is obvious that in its 10th year, Idols SA lacked the oomph of yesteryear. Soap stories took precedence and the sadder the circumstances of a contestant, the more likely they were to remain in the competition.
Vincent B was the first one to catch the judges’ softer side, especially Gareth Cliff, because Vincent was a weeper. The judges quickly picked up that he had suffered a lot of in his life and he used music to channel it blah blah blah.
Then there was Musa who was a good friend of last year’s winner Musa, and he was tipped to win as others thought he was just as good. But a few bad song choices means things didn’t go his way.
In the case of the final two, we know that Bongi entered the show a few seasons before and she did not make it past Sun City. She then tried this year and was turned away after her first audition. Undeterred, she auditioned again in another city and managed to make the cut.
Yet when she sings she is really not the best vocalist. Of course we commend how she has pushed the “against all odds” story, but she also has to sound it because it all comes down to how talented she is, right? Or does it?
There are countless songs, poems and motivational books about the power of persistence and keeping your eye on the prize, and Bongi is living testimony to that. But the question still remains, is she one of the best vocalists this season?
As you voted for her, South Africa, did you separate the circumstances of her being on the show from her actual performances? That would be a tough one to answer.
Then there is this year’s golden boy, Vincent B, who has amazing keyboard skills and a voice to back it up.
The first thing Cliff asked him when he fauditioned was about him living on the streets. Vincent B then told a sad story of how he ‘d fallen on hard times and was forced to fend for himself on the mean streets of Pretoria. What he failed to tell us at was that Vincent B was not coming to audition from Church Street in Pretoria. He had since got his life back on track and he is even now happily married. This only came out later on, but the magnifying glass remained on his misfortune and now its a rags-to- riches story (again) blah blah blah.
So let’s look at this show closely. With everyone singing their hearts out every year, the assumption is South Africa is looking for the best singer regardless of race, and in this case, background or backstory. The moment we are influenced by anything more than the stage performance, it becomes prejudice. People vote with their emotions and it then becomes a contest to find who has the saddest story and in turn no one worries about the talent. If that’s the case what happens to the likes of Lize, Tumi and Kyle who had no melancholic circumstances? Do they get thrown under the bus because they have a “normal” upbringing? It looks like it.
We need clarity as to what exactly Idols SA is looking for each year. There is no need to bring desperate, talented youngsters to a fight they will never win because they do not fit certain criteria. We are under the impression that the best singer advances.
Last year was just that, Musa and Brandon were known for nothing but their music, so votes came in with what was presented on the arena. The year before, with Khaya and Melissa, was the same so one wonders what changed this year. Like it or not, we are emotional beings and if you string our emotions right we might behave in a desired manner.
We really need to do away with backstories, they just mess with what the show should be about, which is basic singing.