By Shanique Richards
St. Kitts Reporter
Duane Thompson and Nicola Thompson will be traveling to Barbados next week to represent the Federation in the finals of Digicel Rising Stars.
After the St. Kitts-Nevis top eight contestants’ performances were aired on television earlier this month, fans used texts to vote their favorite two singers through to the elimination round.
After participating in the hit talent search competition for the first time last year, the contestants this year are a true reflection of the twin islands with Duane being from Nevis and Nicola being from St. Kitts.
The Observer spoke to both newcomers who said they were proud to have been voted through to represent their countries in the popular competition by not only their friends but by total strangers.
Nicola said it was her first time entering a competition and she was still in a state of disbelief that she got the most votes of all eight singers.
“I was at home watching the show and to tell you the truth, when they showed my performance meaning I had made it through. I ran out into the alley shouting ‘Thank you’ to all my neighbors and friends. I couldn’t believe that I was voted through. I was so nervous at the auditions and even when I was recording the aired performance that I figured I wasn’t going to make it. I was shocked when I was told that I got the most votes. I want to thank everyone for their support and for those who vote me through. I have been practicing hard so that I can do my best to represent St. Kitts when I go to Barbados,” the excited young woman said.
The viewing audience in all of the participating territories can vote for any contestant, from any island, as many times as they wish.
Mariece Roberts and Yanik and Quinn Martin (Undaground) represented St. Kitts and Nevis in the finals last year, but Kyron Baptiste of St. Vincent won, making it a repeat for the island.
The Digicel Rising Stars final round sees two contestants from each of the participating countries; Antigua/Barbuda, St. Kitts /Nevis, Anguilla, St. Vincent, Barbados, St. Lucia, Dominica, and Grenada; each perform one song. Each week, the contestants with the least votes are eliminated until two are left to compete for the title, US $10,000 cash prize, a recording and management deal worth US $100, 000 and a host of gifts from the major sponsors.
