Star Quest down to the final twelve

Jay Ehrhart	Dave Martins	Edlin Myles
		Judges at the Cable & Wireless’ Star Quest Semi-Finals
Herbie Martin	Rafael Santana

The Cable & Wireless Star Quest organizing Corporate
Communications team of (l-r) Andrea Fa’amoe Sara
Jan-Evans and Julie Hutton

Thursday, August 26, 2004

It was standing room only for the semi-final round of Star Quest last Saturday at the Triple C School Auditorium.

After weeks of district auditions, twelve Semi-Finalists were selected from the group of 69 district finalists.

The atmosphere was sometimes tense as the performers filed on stage in front of the five judges in quick succession, amid enthusiastic applause from the audience.

As in previous auditions, the performers waited nervously outside the auditorium, waiting for their number to be called.

Singer Yendi Parchman said, “I’m not sure how well I’ll do; it’s up to the judges. I just love to sing, and any opportunity to sing is good.”

Lisa de Mercado, dressed in a glamorous dress, reminiscent of a fashionable 1920’s flapper, was competing against her brother, Mark. “I’m doing a song by Shakira, called Whenever, Wherever,” said Lisa. Referring to her striking dress, she added: “I’m trying to depict Shakira; she’s half-Lebanese and half-Spanish, so I tried to combine the two nations in my attire.”

Cable & Wireless Chief Executive Tim Adam had high praise for the contestants and for his team at the conclusion of Saturday’s event. “This was all about bringing local talent to the fore,” he said, marveling at the diversity of the performers and performances. “You saw the cross-section that we had today. This diversity makes Cayman what it is.”

Before announcing the 12 finalists, Mr Adam noted the courage of the performers: “Everyone’s a winner just by participating.”

Mr Adam went on to commend the Corporate Communications team, comprised of Andrea Fa’amoe, Julie Hutton and Sara Jan-Evans, for their hard work and vision. “This team,” he said, “took Star Quest from a mere thought, and created the biggest, best, most spectacular show of talent the Cayman Islands have ever seen.”

The twelve finalists, selected based on the judges’ scores and tabulated by auditors from Deloitte, were, in no particular order: Vashti Bodden, dance troupe PKB, Morna Richardson, dance troupe Fusion, Andrea Rivera, Isadora Ferrao, Mark De Mercado, Kathleen Jackman, Keesa Peart, Jason Welcome, Karen Edie, and Lisa De Mercado.

Star Quest will be televised during the finals phase. The Cayman public will be able to vote for their favourites, either by text message or by calling a 1-900 number. The show will be on every Tuesday for six weeks, beginning on 8 September.

The Finalists now begin a rigorous training schedule in preparation for the final rounds. Each will work under the guidance of a stylist, and voice coach or choreographer to perfect and polish their look and performance for the televised shows as they compete for the title of champion and the grand prize of $10,000.

Reader comments:

• Try to remember that we should not emulate the American star search and vote for friends, but rather show the world what Cayman talent has to offer! - Nadya

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