Anthony Minott, Freelance Writer

Sirane Allen makes a lasting impression and a fashion statement at Portmore 'Digicel Rising Stars' 2008 auditions, decked out in what he calls the 'Felted Tuxedo' at the Portmore Heart Academy last Saturday. - peta-gaye clachar

It all started about 7 a.m. when the first 'Digicel Rising Stars' contestants were permitted inside the Portmore HEART Academy to register to try out for a spot on the call-back list.

From this list, the performers who passed the first test would return the following day to face judges Anthony Miller, Nadine Sutherland and Clyde McKenzie.

About 8:30 a.m., the first contestant performed for preliminary judges Roy Rayon and David Wedderburn, and at 6:02 p.m., the last contestant, wearing number 786, was doing her thing. The judges, as they did with hundreds more, cut her performance short, signalling the end of a hectic day.

But, even though it was a tiresome and long day, the judges said that their jobs were fairly easy. "It wasn't that difficult. where there is talent, we choose, where there were people just come to have fun, we refuse," preliminary judge Wedderburn told The STAR.

Tedious one

He mentioned that it was a long day and with only a 30-minute break, the task became a tedious one. Roy Rayon, a former Festival song winner, and the other preliminary judge said that it was not hard to pick the talented.

"We found a reasonable crop of talented performers out of it, as we know what we are looking for," he stressed.

He, however, bemoaned the fact that some of the contestants do well in preliminary judging but don't shine the following day.

Ninety-five contestants out of the 786 returned the next day.

The preliminary judges took short breaks alternately to allow the auditions to flow, which was different from a 30-minute break for the audition.

One contestant, who wished not to give his name, said that he was one of the first 10 hopefuls to perform, and although he didn't make the cut he still stuck around until 1:30 p.m. to watch the other performers and get better acquainted with some members of the opposite sex. "Mi cah come so far, and nuh get nuh girl. a two mi get, that done seal," he told The STAR.

At least these three are prepared for the weather. It was scorching hot in the Sunshine City.

This gentleman makes his bed on this bike as he seeks shade from the hot sun.

These children pass some time playing under the tent.

Wade 'Wadee' Edwards practices his song while waiting for his turn to make an impression on the judges.

Auditions schedule!

Come out early for the Rising Stars auditions this Saturday:

May 24

Ocho Rios, Hibiscus Lodge hotel

Saturday May 31

Kingston, Young Women's Christian Association

when the Digicel Rising Stars 2008 auditions passed through.