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Apart from wooden mic winner Jaco making another notorious appearance on the Idols III stage in the hope of becoming South Africa’s next superstar, numerous ''repeat offenders'' have bravely followed their singing convictions and ventured into the competition for a second (and even third) time around.
Like Jaco, even those who didn’t make it past the preliminary round in seasons I and II, suffered the arduous queues again this year, ever-hopeful for a place to sing in the spotlight and garner compliments as opposed to criticism from those in the hot seats.
Using the criticism dealt by the fearsome foursome constructively, a sizeable number of contestants re-entered the competition this year in the hope of showing judges that they had taken their comments to heart, practiced, and made a marked improvement. However, for most, the same scathing comments resurfaced.
For those who did make it past the preliminary stage in previous years and even as far as the Top 32, entering Idols III has been a lot more challenging. Musa Ndlovu, Leanne Steenkamp, Bianca Bronn (pictured above), Lauren Matos, Dillan Davids and Edith Twala are a few familiar faces from previous seasons’ Top 32 to make a re-appearance in the Idols audition room. However, they tend to agree that the competition gets incomparably tougher the second time around…
If it’s so tough, why enter again? For Bianca, Lauren and Musa, the answer is obvious: they believe they can do so much better. They entered Idols III to make it further than before and, ultimately, become an Idol. Beyond upping their stakes and their positions, they are unanimous in saying that Idols is a fantastic opportunity: that it affords one the chance to pursue one’s dream in a highly publicised arena in which chances of getting ''noticed'' are unparalleled. Moreover, all are quick to agree that it’s an unbelievable experience in which you get to meet people from around the country, and that it’s a whole lot of fun.
Some may argue that such contestants have the upper hand: not only do they have the advantage of experience and being familiar with the judges, but they have also had time to work on those of aspects of their performance that needed improvement. To a certain extent, such arguments ring true, however Bianca is the first to defend that she’s had to push harder to prove herself this year.
Apart from tough competition, all agree that the standard of this year’s competition has been raised considerably. Moreover, knowing what they’re capable of and having something to compare their performances to, the judges have been tougher on those who have come back for a second shot at stardom. The panel has made it clear that only those who have made remarkable improvements in their performance will make it into the Top 100, as they are not willing to waste anyone’s time or sacrifice a space for new talent. Those competing again have to possess something exceptional: something that takes them further than the Top 32, if not win.
In light of this, would the three ladies enter for third time round? ''No, I couldn’t go through this again!'' says an exasperated Musa. Bianca and Lauren agree saying that the pressure can be overwhelming: not only pressure from the judges, but the pressure they place on themselves and, adds Bianca, ''pressure from our families who think that if we’ve made it into the Top 32 before, we can do it again.''
On Sunday (14 August) we will find out whether these repeat offenders make it into the Top 100. Leanne Steenkamp from Cape Town, who auditioned for the third time this year, has made it into round 2. Whether this will be her third time lucky or third time strike out, remains to be seen… and heard. Watch this space.
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