2 months ago
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Season 20 of ‘Digicel Rising Stars’ ends tonight with what is expected to be a stellar show packed to the brim with guest performances, prizes and surprises following a tough campaign trail.
In a conversation with The Sunday Gleaner, this season’s finalists – Akeen Fennell and Renecia Bernard – explained that soliciting votes was sometimes difficult.
“Dem a seh mi should a drop out already,” said 17-year-old Bernard when asked about the feedback from the public. But she’s determined not to let it get to her.
“When dem a talk mi nuh really stay fi hear wah dem have fi seh, enuh. Cause mi nah entertain di negativity. So, mi jus walk weh,” she continued.
Fennell has had similar difficulties while on the campaign trail, explaining the experience has been an “eye-opener” for him.
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“I tend to be more of a reserved person; I stick to myself and try not to bother people, and this show has really helped me to change and be more outspoken. But, if I had known about the whole campaigning side, I would have stayed in my shell,” Fennell said.
“It was dreadful! I remember I would get all 15 nos before getting the first $50. It was dreadful…and that can break a person. Break their pride, their self-worth, everything. So, I had to leave all of that in the car before starting,” he continued.
Though some contestants are eliminated sooner than some supporters would like, the show’s producer, Sharon Schroeter, told The Sunday Gleaner that it is the fans who are directly responsible for how far their favourite contestants make it.
“At the end of the day, it is a voting show,” said Schroeter. “If you don’t vote, then your contestant won’t have a chance, and the other contestant will move past them,” she continued.
The senior producer also confirmed that voting numbers have continued to remain steady year-over-year.
Despite the common voting grouses, ‘Digicel Rising Stars’ continues to produce exceptional talent that often go on to do greater things within the entertainment space.
From the likes of Chris Martin and Romain Virgo to One Third and Dalton Harris – ‘Digicel Rising Stars’ is “still making stars”, Schroeter told The Sunday Gleaner earlier this year.
This time around, though, as she prepares for Season 21, her biggest wish is to get greater support for the stars following their exit or even after winning the competition.
“I would love to have just more support for the show. I know that 20 years is a long time for it to be on the air – much less 21. But the fact that we have achieved so much, combined with the stars we have released to Jamaica, says something,” Schroeter said.
“I always say that Jamaica has such amazing talent, and ‘Digicel Rising Stars’ is just an avenue for them to showcase that talent…So I just want more support for my artistes. And yes, I am going to call them that because that’s what they are, artistes,” she continued.
When the season finale airs live tonight, audiences are being advised to expect the unexpected. Performances from the likes of Noddy Virtue, Chris Martin, Jodian Pantry and many more are expected to rock the parking lot of Television Jamaica’s studios.
“We are going to be celebrating 20 years of ‘Digicel Rising Stars’. We are trying to bring back this ‘Mas Camp’ type of vibes. So, we are moving everything on the outside, and we’re opening it up to the public with invitations,” Schroeter said.
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