Twists and talent: the two things we love to see on Idols! And this past week during the solo auditions there was no shortage of both!
As the remaining 31 prepared to battle it out one last time in hopes of securing their Top 16 spot, there one twist none of them could have prepared for. In an Idols first, the judges were moved to the back of the theatre where they would observe the performances from afar and not give feedback at the end.
It’s a move that caught the contestants off guard and had some interesting effects on the young stars.
Calming The Nerves
Being aware that the judges hold your fate in their palms can be a daunting fact to have on one’s mind. So with them out of the direct line of sight, the contestants had one less thing to think about, at least for the moment. The result for some was an open canvas to paint the perfect picture of their talent and really play to the crowd like the stars they were born to be.
A Case of the Jitters
From the time their Idols journey began, all the contests knew was working towards wowing the judges. And now with little warning they’d have to tackle a new unknown, a live audience. Then to add a further twist, they would have no way of telling if they really did as good, or even as bad, as they thought they did. The only time they’d know the answer to the burning question would be at the Top 16 announcement. Talk about a nerve-wrecking wait!
Space to Shine
Without the trademark steely stares of the judges, even the shyest of contestants had a little more room to come out of their shells and give their all to the cheering crowds. If they were willing to grab the opportunity with both hands, the new position offered the perfect opportunity to through caution to the wind and get a first true taste of what performing to an Idols crowd feels like.
What do you think about the judges new seating position? Share your thoughts using the hashtag #IdolsSA
The Top 16 reveal we've all been waiting for takes place this Sunday at 17:30 on Mzansi Magic, DStv Channel 161. Get exclusive updates as all the action unfolds by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.