Idols South Africa Recap: Who Made the Top 16?
The Top 16 reveal is always an overlong episode – 2 hours to reveal the 16 contestants who will sing for South Africa’s votes. They could do it in an hour. The episode ran two minutes before it went for its first ad break, and no one went through.
When it finally started, this followed.
Rhema Varrie was the first contestant to take his walk to final judgment. We all knew he’ll go through. It should come as no surprise. Unathi tells Rhema he’s through. Yep. Rhema is first into this season’s Top 16. Bring the soul, Rhema. Looking forward to it.
Ruan Grobbelaar was next. Unanimous decision – he’s through.
Siphelele is through. I typed that before Somizi told him the result.
Tebogo takes the walk for a second consecutive year, and Tebogo gets told to go home for a second consecutive year. Rightly so. Sadly, he isn’t good enough for this show. Nice guy, but nice doesn’t cut it.
Matthew, Mlondi, Mandla, and Daniel went home. The only kinda surprise out of this group was Mandla and, again, it was the right decision. His voice wasn’t suited for Idols. It lacks commercial appeal and would work better in a choir.
John-Neil tries to break the streak but goes home. Apparently he wasn’t unique enough, and I would agree.
Karabo does break the streak and goes through. I find him as bland and unoriginal as John-Neil, but anyway.
Uitenhage’s Loyiso Gijana was a no brainer. This kid has loads of potential. He’s a little slow on the uptake, and Somizi finally has to tell him he’s through. The dude comes from Uitenhage – how is he so talented? Big up.
Thami and his sob story followed. Like Loyiso, this was another no brainer. He’s through. Remember those bagpipes, Thami.
Initial frontrunner and then Sun City disappointment Sizwe was sent packing. It was the right decision – a great audition is not enough to overcome a terrible week in Sun City.
Phila the spoilt brat followed. It’s no mystery why a lot of viewers don’t like him. Douche 101. The celeb’s son is in the top 16.
This season’s likely winner Lungisa was up next. Dude is through. He knows. We know. Just get it over with. According to Randall, Lungisa is the 8th and final guy to make the cut.
Only the girls remain in the waiting room. Eight of them will go through.
And the first girl to take the final walk to judgment was Dineo. I have to confess: I really like this girl. One of the few full packages amongst the girls. Four thumbs up from the judges and another from me.
Bridgitt surely wasn’t going to make the team. I agree with Randall: she should be in a band. I’m getting Echosmith vibes. Aaaaaaaaaand she goes through. Okay. In my mind, it should have been between her and Nina.
Crystal, Ndumiso, Busisiwe, Dr. Lihle, and Amy all go home. Lihle was the only one from this group who developed a real relationship with the audience. Again, she doesn’t make the cut. It’ll also likely be her last appearance on this show.
16-year-old Nina was likely going through, if my math skills were in any shape or form still existent. Thank fuck. My math is still somewhat there – Nina is through.
One of the remaining girls is going home, and the rest are in the top 16.
Nonhle was another likely top 16 finalist. Yes, she is. Nonhle’s through.
Elwira and Mmatema are probably the strongest female vocalists this season, so their results were quite clear. Mmatema will likely go all the way to the top 3, but girls never win, so there’s that. These two have the pipes to do very well, so I’m excited by the prospects.
Shenay made South African Idols history when she became the first drag queen to make it to the Top 16. Yep. We’re a very open-minded society. Or not. Depends on whether you’ve taken a gander at a certain Facebook page. Shenay deserves this, but sadly, she likely won’t make it to the top 10.
Then it was between PE’s Amanda and Cape Town’s Nadia. One would go home, and the other will take the final spot in this season’s top 16. Sadly, the outcome was predictable. Amanda would go through and the exciting little pop star Nadia would just miss out.
Nadia goes through.
Amanda goes home.
Okay, judges. Thank you. It’s a win for diversity, it’s a win for those who like some variety, and Nadia brings that. Amanda does not. There are stronger vocalists than Amanda, but there is no girl like Nadia – young, fresh, and a potential pop star. Dineo and Nadia bring some much needed light and personality to the group of eight girls.
Fear not, though, Amanda fans.
Nonhle was forced to withdraw from the competition because of a recording contract she signed prior to the show – and failed to disclose to the producers. To keep it short, she couldn’t be released from her contract and had to drop out.
Amanda gets her spot and she’s making her way to Pretoria. She escapes from PE for a few weeks. Lucky girl.
So there you have it. We have our top 16. What do you think? Did Sizwe’s elimination shock you? Brave enough to make some predictions?
Next week the real fun starts: live shows!
Check back on Wednesday for a power ranking of the Top 16.
