Entertainment

Rising Stars finalists rehearse to face the spotlight

Christopher Martin, one of the two selected from Kingston to advance to the studio finals of Rising Stars. - Contributed

"YOU SEE IN show business, one thing you must learn, do not stop." These were the words of Peter Ashbourne to one of the Rising Stars contestants on Saturday morning at the TVJ studios. It is an edict that any would-be star had better learn.

The scene was a little reminiscent of that famous Debbie Allen moment in the FAME TV series where she drills her young dancers about the demands of fame. But Ashbourne was no drill sergeant, though he offered advice, it was clear that the young Rising Stars were going to have to shine through based on their talent.

The Saturday morning rehearsal was the first prong of their preparation to perform live on Sunday, which was the first live show of the 2005 staging. The group comprised Melvin 'Prince J' Gayle, Shanique 'Face' Wilson, Nathaniel 'Natel' Hewitt, Chantelle 'Chanti I' Smith, Christopher Martin, Keisha Clarke and the quartet Touch (Jermaine Coote, Kempton Blair, Patroy Shand, and Christopher Parnell).

These were the first group of survivors from the six auditions held across the island in Port Antonio, Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, Black River, Mandeville, and Kingston. Ten finalists had been selected from each audition and then the public whittled that selection down further and three wild cards were then added by the judges.

This first group of seven featured one contestant from each audition and a wild card. Next week's show will feature the remaining eight performers. On Sunday they went through a technical rehearsal, a dress rehearsal and then prepared to take the stage again for the main event.

On Saturday morning, despite the penetrating cold of the studio, the group seemed rather up beat, carrying on easy conversations as they waited their turn to rehearse. On occasion, they encouraged each other, seemingly unaware that on Sunday they would be competing.

Ashbourne's advice should prove useful to them, because many of them are relative virgins to the performing world.

The advice will come in handy when they face the music on Sunday and await the public's opinion as to who goes home, and who gets another shot at becoming a rising star.