Sirane Allen made a lasting impression and a fashion statement.

The first Digicel Rising Stars audition in Portmore, St Catherine, at the Portmore HEART Academy, saw 786 contestants, including soloists and groups, giving their all to impress preliminary judges David Wedderburn and Roy Rayon last Saturday.

The number is the most so far this year, after four preliminary shows. The other shows were in St Thomas, Mandeville, Manchester and Montego Bay, St James.

This overwhelming response by residents of Portmore, and others from different parishes in Jamaica who took the trek to the Sunshine City, was expected, according to Mark Kenny, a producer on the show. He said that he had anticipated about 1,000, but added that his experienced crew was prepared to cater for between 2,000-3,000 contestants.

"We are well prepared, that's why we have so many experienced programme directors on the set," he said. "It's the first Rising Stars audition in Portmore and we were expecting a large turnout as Portmore has a lot of musical talent here."

Digicel Rising Stars host Yendi Phillipps (right) shares pointers with some contestants>

There was a mixture of talent at the auditions. While nerves got the better of some contestants, others chose the wrong song.

Some contestants decided to stay by themselves, while others rehearsed their piece with friends or acquaintances they met at the audition in their own little area on the compound. One such meeting was between 16-year-old schoolgirl Anntanisa Smith and Shauna Whyte. The two rehearsed under a tree and encouraged each other as they waited for their chance at stardom.

It was a tough day for the contestants as they had to wait hours to perform. Many relaxed under tents provided and watched video footage of their fellow contestants. Some cheered, signalling their approval for good and exciting performances as they looked at the big screen, while others criticised the contestants they thought were poor. In the end, the ones who prepared mentally and physically and, very importantly, vocally, for the audition were the ones who got through.

Ninety-five contestants received acceptance letters to return the following day, while the others had to try out at any of the two other auditions in Ocho Rios this week Saturday, or the final one in Kingston the following Saturday.

Leopold Walker auditioned in St Thomas, Mandeville, Montego Bay and once again tried to prove himself to the judges at the Portmore Heart Academy last Saturday.

These ladies fill out forms after being given a call-back to face the second day of eliminations - Peta-Gaye Clachar Photos