Former Face of Africa (FOA) winner Kate Tachie-Menson from Ghana turned heads at the Idols auditions at GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World in Cape Town this weekend when she walked in to try her luck as an Idol.
“I’ve always wanted to sing,” said Tachie-Menson (28), “and I actually tried out for Idols in Ghana and they told me to rather audition for Face of Africa and then I won that – but I still want to sing!”
Since winning FOA in 2008 Tachie-Menson has travelled the world as a model, but she would happily give up that glamorous lifestyle to be an Idol. “But now I have the ‘flu and it’s in my head and my chest and my nose. I don’t know how well I did.” she sighed. If she is called back for the second round, she will perform for Idols judges Randall Abrahams, Unathi Msengana and Gareth Cliff next month.
Idols is still growing in popularity. Cape Town attracted more than double the entries received last year.
M-Net’s communications manager, Lani Lombard attributes the big number of entries to the fact that the series reached a wider audience in 2011, thanks to the simulcast on Mzansi Magic. “While M-Net is only available on Dstv Premium, Mzansi Magic features on the other DStv bouquets. The auditions have also trended on Twitter and become a big talking-point on regional radio stations such as KFM, Eastcoast Radio, Highveld and Gagasifm”.
While wannabee Idols are arriving in droves at the auditions, the quality of entries is also sky-high this time round. “The poor judges are going to have a tough time handing out Golden Tickets,” says Lombard. “There are so many talented singers!”
The final audition round for Idols Season 8 will be held at the Walter Sisulu Hall in Kliptown, Soweto, on Saturday, 25 February.
