The producers of Digicel Rising Stars should be extremely pleased that the success of last years Digicel Rising Stars has had a positive impact on the would be stars that turned out for the first audition of the new season, in Ocho Rios last Saturday.
From as early as 6:00 am the aspiring stars turned up at the Island Village Shopping Centre, in search of that big break. Some of the usual suspects were missing from the first audition though by midday it became obvious that Jamaica was taking notes during last years show as the acts obviously prepared to walk the road to stardom.
For many persons like Duane Bascente, a resident of Portmore, the show symbolizes his quest to stardom. “I have been rehearsing everyday for the past year trying to perfect my craft, with the hope that I can make the top ten at one of the auditions,” he said. “I have prepared myself to go to all the auditions just in case I don’t make it at one venue. Nothing will stop me from realizing my dream.”
“Ocho Rios is usually one of our largest auditions because in the past three years we held the auditions in the third or fourth week and by then the momentum of the show would have picked up, so it was overwhelming to know we were able audition over 400 persons at this, our first audition.” Paula Pinnock-MacLeod, Digicel’s Marketing Projects Manager and the show’s Executive Producer.
The contestants in Ocho Rios impressed Nicole Desvignes, Series Producer for Trinidad and Tobago’s Digicel Rising Stars who along with her show’s director were at the auditions as guest of their Jamaican counterparts. “It was nothing short of phenomenonal to see the varying talent that Jamaicans possess. The contestants sang everything from Country & Western to R& B and did it with such ease,” she said. “We came to Jamaica to observe the audition with the view of incorporating some of Jamaica’s ideas in our show. The level of organization that goes into the production is remarkable, plus it helps when you have great talent as we saw in Ocho Rios.”
As Jamaica’s leading television programme Digicel Rising Stars has set the bar high for local television production. From memorable performances to excellent scripting and editing, the talent show has put Jamaican talent in the limelight both behind the scenes and in front of the camera. “We have invested a lot in the production of the show. It’s humbling to know it’s appreciated by our viewers,” said Claire Clarke-Grant, Marketing and Sales Manager, TVJ.
With Ocho Rios down auditions continue this Saturday, April 28 at Fayors Entertainment Centre, Mandeville; Saturday, May 5 at Neville Antonio Park, Port Antonio; Saturday, May 12 at Pier One, Montego Bay and Saturday, May 19 at The National Stadium, Kingston. The first show will be aired on Sunday, May 27 at 8 p.m. on Television Jamaica.
The winner of this year’s Digicel Rising Stars will receive a cash prize of $1 million, two singles produced and distributed by Green sleeves, a music video and $100,000 call credit courtesy of Digicel. The second place winner will receive $600,000, a single produced and distributed by Greensleeves, and $75,000 call credit courtesy of Digicel. Third place will receive cash of $400,000, a single produced and distributed by Greensleeves and $50,000 call credit courtesy of Digicel.
http://www.digiceljamaica.com/risingstars
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