Sadeke Brooks, Staff Reporter
Left: Tracey-Ann Robinson was extremely nervous before, but she performed confidently. Right: Cornel Albrus, aka Angel Voice, performs at the Digicel Rising Stars audition at Hibiscus Lodge in Ocho Rios last Saturday. - Roger Robinson photos
When Tracey-Ann Robinson entered the Rising Stars audition room at Hibiscus Lodge in Ocho Rios, it was obvious she was nervous.
As she stood at the door, she could not keep still. One of the crew members gave her a chair to sit when she moaned, "mi belly". She continued to fan herself and cover her face as she looked on at other contestants.
Luckily, host Yendi Phillipps was on hand to take Robinson outside, talk to her and offer the prospective contestant some water. At least six persons, who were behind Robinson had to audition before she was ready.
Suprisingly, when she took the stage she seemed confident, gesticulating to enhance her performance. Unfortunately, she did not get a call for day two because of poor song selection, nor did she project her voice well enough.
"It's been a while since I've been on a stage. I was nervous. I had butterflies all over. My heart was racing and I had that tingling feeling in my tummy," Robinson said.
Better next time
"They didn't put me down. They showed me I could do better next time. You will be seeing me in Kingston," she added.
Unlike Tracey-Ann, Devon Clarke was much more confident. He waited outside for his chance to shine and was quite relaxed.
"Mi nuh really nervous 'cause I made top 10 last year. Last year, I was nervous 'cause mi see how dem deal wid other people," he said.
Nadine McKenzie, whose stage name is Essence, said she was nervous also before the audition, but found a remedy to calm her nerves.
"I was nervous about an hour ago but I had a shot of rum with cranberry juice. If I don't get through today, I will just do straight recording," McKenzie said.
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