by Teino Evans, Staff Reporter

'The most competitive group so far' was presented on Sunday during the Digicel Rising Star competition at the TVJ studios. The performers included female trio D'Zire, Kyino Cunningham, Lanya Wilks, Chrystal Campbell, five-man group Kahlil, Jody Ann Pantry and Oneil Peart.

The third batch of contestants in the 2007 Digicel Rising Stars competition took the stage with guns blazing last Sunday, as the seven performers sought to make an impact on the judges and audience.

The performers included female trio D'Zire, Kyino Cunningham, Lanya Wilks, Chrystal Campbell, five-man group Kahlil, Jody Ann Pantry and Oneil Peart.

The first to make any real impact on both judges and audience came in the form of Lenya Wilks, as her rendition of Tina Turner's Let's Stay Together managed to captivate both audience and judges.

Anthony Miller confessed, "for the first time in this competition I got goose pimples," following Wilks' performance.

Chrystal Campbell, Anthony Miller's wild card must have felt the pressure before taking the stage as she said, "I know I'm not Nickeisha Barnes but I will still try to do my best." Her best might have been good enough if she chose the right song.

Kahlil disturbed the peace inside the studios when they performed Backstreet Boys' 'I'll Never Break Your Heart', on Sunday, July 15.

Kahlil, the five-man group, said their name meant 'peaceful' and 'change', but there was no peace in the audience, as the females were restless throughout their performance of the Backstreet Boys' I'll Never Break Your Heart.

Jodi-Ann Pantry performed Fantasia's 'Summer Time'. - Nathaniel Stewart

Jody Ann Pantry's version of Fantasia's Summer Time definitely turned up the heat inside the TVJ studios as Clyde McKenzie commented, "did they just turn off the AC or what that was hot."

Anthony Miller also had high praises, as he said, "girl delivered a great performance", while Nadine Sutherland said, "that was just awesome."

The introduction of 'the producer's pick' was included in the competition for the first time on Sunday and Oneil Peart was the lucky contestant.

His medley performance of Lost Without You and Give Me A Try was so creatively delivered that Nadine Sutherland had to admit that, "it was one of the most creative things I've heard, and you were funky."

Anthony Miller also strongly urged voters to give serious consideration to Peart.

Last Sunday's batch was thought to be the most competitive so far, but come Friday, the public's vote will decide which four will remain and who will go home.

CORRECTION

First to face the elimination: Sandrana Nichols was eliminated in order to narrow down the competition to the best of Rising Stars 2007 at the results show on Friday, July 13, at the TVJ Studios. - Peta-Gaye Clachar

In a story published in yesterday's STAR, it was stated that Tashina Mckenzie was eliminated on Friday night's Rising Stars' show. However, it was Sandrana Nichols and not Tashina McKenzie who was sent home. We apologise for any inconvenience the error may have caused.