Entertainment

'Mi heart bleeding' - Natel's removal from Rising Stars sparks dismay

By TANYA BATSON-SAVAGE, Freelance Writer

There was overwhelming reaction to the elimination of Rising Stars finalist Natel. - winston sill

WHEN THE RESULTS from the week of voting were announced on Friday night at the Knutsford Court Hotel, it left some people in shock and dismay that Natel, the final wild card left in the competition, had not received enough votes to remain in contention.

At the end of the night, the young man was clearly reeling from the shock, though impressively trying to stay strong and hold to that confidence that endeared him to many. His support did not merely come from within and from his family.

The 18-year-old was quickly flocked by well-wishers who either expressed their admiration for his talent or their outrage that the rest of the country did not share their view. They hugged him, shook his hand or 'knocked fists' to show their admiration. His support seemed to have ranged across age groups and both sexes.

Of course, it is a universal truth that the very talented will get dropped from a competition when voting is left to the public. In truth, that has also happened with competitions that use judges.

It was impressive that even Anthony Miller, the judge whose sharp tongue has quickly cleaved into the heart of the untalented (and more than on occasion nicked the talented), pointed out that Natel's departure from the competition was regrettable. He pointed out that some of those left behind were indeed lucky, and that Natel's talent would be missed as the rounds continue.

Nadine Sutherland was adamant that the public had erred in their judgement. "I think that Natel deserved to go on!" she said. The young man who hailed from Mandeville had been Sutherland's wild card. However, the audience's support of her statement by those present indicated that Sutherland was backed by more than favouritism.

Outrage

Dianie Gordon and her friend Juliet Itriago were among those who were in Natel's corner and expressed outrage at his removal. "He's original. He's genuine. The humility he brings to the show is overwhelming," said Gordon. "Jamaica should have seen that."

Her response was quite emotional. "Q shouldn't even be standing there singing right now," she continued. "Mi heart bleeding." Interestingly, both Gordon and Itriago revealed that Christopher Martin is the one who draws most of their support, but they also voted for Natel.

"If yuh don't have stiff 'titty' and pretty hair and straight nose dem nah vote fi yuh," said Dennis Campbell.

Natel explained that he had not at all expected to have been cut from the competition at this stage. He noted, however, that he took Rising Stars as a stepping stone and so all was not lost. Nonetheless, he explained that his best experience from the competition was simply getting to be on stage and that he would miss those friends he had made.

The young man had not only displayed good vocals and lyrics but had been the creator of the rhythm tracks that accompanied his music. He noted that he would continue to work toward producing his first album My Thoughts. "They can't stop Natel," he said. "Natel is like a legend."