Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

Denise Hunt won't be hosting 'Digicel Rising Stars'. After four years, the bubbly one decides to walk away.

Nine persons have gone through screen tests for the job of host for the new season of the popular 'Digicel Rising Stars'.

The organisers of the show have been looking for a candidate to replace Denise Hunt, who left the show after four years as host. Among the persons who were looked at as possible hosts are; past Miss Jamaica World winners Yendi Phillipps, Sara Lawrence and contestant Sanique Vacianna, TV personalities Renée Garel (Lady Renée ) and last year's host for the show's 'Chill Room' and assumed forerunner for the position, Kiki. There is also the option of performers such as actress Sakina Deer, Guyanese singer Tamika Marshall and the sole male potential actor, Stephen McHew.

Energetic and charismatic

Public relations executive at Digicel, Patria-Kaye Aarons, said the candidate they are looking for to replace Hunt has to be someone energetic and charismatic. "It's a talent programme and we're looking for an animated person because as a factor, Rising Stars comes into the homes of every Jamaican and it must be someone that has that 'it' factor to fit into every home."

The new host will officially be announced tonight at the launch of Digicel Rising Stars at the Courtleigh auditorium. In the meanwhile Aarons told the STAR that fans can only expect the best from the upcoming season.

She said, "having set the bar for four years we need to live up to the expectations. We plan to raise the bar of the show from the very show itself, its content. It's going to be bigger and better."

In terms of of Hunt's departure from the show the series executive producer, Tahnida Nunes, said, "after four years, she has decided to move on from Digicel Rising Stars to pursue other career options. Together, we made groundbreaking television in the past and we wish her the very best of luck in the future".

No particular reason

When the STAR spoke with Denise, she claimed that there was no particular reason for her leaving the show and that she has no clue where reports that she wanted a pay increase came from. Hunt, who also left her stint on the television show, Entertainment Report in December, remains a host of a weekday radio show.

Auditions for THE STAR sponsored Digicel Rising Stars begins on April 26 in St Thomas at the Paul Bogle High School.

Left: Kerrie-Ann 'Kiki' Lewis, host of the Digicel Rising Stars Chill Room. Right: Sanique Vacianna, Miss Villagio Gaming Lounge.

Yendi Phillipps, Sara Lawrence - file photos