by Teino Evans, Staff Reporter

Nickiesha Barnes - Colin Hamilton

After last weekend's close call, Rising Stars contestant Nickiesha Barnes says she is not deterred, as she still believes that the Rising Stars crown could be hers this year.

Despite her failure to make an impression on the judges last year, Barnes, now 25 years old, was determined to make a greater impact this year. She says she rehearsed thoroughly for this season.

After taking time off from her job as a sales cooordinator at Mitchell's Auto Supplies, Barnes journeyed to the Ocho Rios auditions where she made it to the top ten. However, disappointment stared her in the eyes when she was not selected for the top three to represent Ochi.

"Anything is possible with a show like this," Barnes said, and wasn't she correct in more ways than one.

After Judge Anthony Miller threw her a lifeline when he selected her as his wildcard, Barnes did not take long to prove that Miller had got it right and the rest of Jamaica was off target.

favourites

However, her stint as one of the clear favourites in the competition was surprisingly put to the test, when Jamaica joined Barnes in awe, when she was voted into the bottom half of the competition last week.

Barnes says: "It just goes to show that it's not just enough to do a wonderful performance. It's like politics now, you have to go out and campaign."

During her face-off with Jordan Mais, Barnes said her strategy was to, "sing to the death. I wasn't nervous, it wasn't about the audience, but just to enjoy myself and do better. At the end of the day I have to enjoy myself because once I'm relaxed I will deliver."

Now that she has overcome that obstacle, the lady who hails from Arnett Gardens is eyeing the final studio show where she hopes to be crowned the 2006 Digicel Rising Star, becoming the first ever female to win.

Barnes says this goal can become reality if she is able to maintain her composure.

"How I look at it, I have a month left in the competition and if I can find songs to match my voice? Yes I can. Can I remain focused? With the help of God yes I think I can win the competition," Barnes said.

A graduate of the University of the West Indies, Barnes holds an honours degree in political history and sociology. In the next five years she hopes to become the first Jamaican female to win a Grammy award for producing, composing and song writing.

Barnes is committed to pushing Jamaican music into a new and dynamic dimension. She lauds her three-year-old son, who gives her the inspiration she needs whenever she performs. "It's truly a wonderful feeling to be singing and I see him clapping and urging me on. It's good to know that he is my biggest fan."