By Andre Jebbinson, Staff Reporter

Suzanne Perkins performs at Digicel's Rising Star elimination live show, held at TVJ studio, Lyndhurst Road on Sunday. - Winston Sill

She is just 16 years old, but the fans just can't seem to leave her alone. Suzanne Perkins is now the hot commodity on the streets of Montego Bay and she loves it. "Lord have mercy, everywhere mi turn people a grab me from all corner," she told THE STAR.

Perkins is still a student at Anchovy High where she is also getting much attention. She said that while her friends have not increased, the treatment is quite different. "Look on me, nobody never look fi mek me prefect now me a prefect," she said.

Perkins was always a fan of the competition, but finally got the courage she needed to enter. A couple weeks ago, she outdid a few of her rivals with her rendition of Shy Guy and exhibited that she was getting a bit more comfortable in her skin. But the transformation did not stop there. Her last performances were right on par from costume to vocals when she went back in time and did a couple Diana Ross songs.

The rave reviews are giving Perkins the confidence as she approaches each elimination show. She is fearless, though one would think that after heartbreaking criticisms, the youngster would succumb to the harshness. Instead, she sucked it up as a true pro and used it to her advantage. "You know, people say I am a shy person, but I am not. Is just how mi face look why they say dat," Perkins said.

Despite talk, Suzanne also said that there is nothing going on between Natel and her as she only sees him as a "brother".

Perkins, as is Inga Stewart, who dropped out of the competition, is also on the One Third train. She picks them to be the winners if she fell short. Suzanne said though singing is her first love she would also like to try her hand at cosmetology.