Sadeke Brooks, Staff Reporter

Rising Stars alum Suzanne Perkins (left) chats with new host Yendi Phillipps at the Rising Stars auditions, held at Club Inferno in MoBay, on the weekend. - Contributed

New Rising Stars host, Yendi Phillipps, says the auditions have been more than she expected and she eagerly anticipates the live shows that will begin on July 20.

She says she thoroughly enjoyed the audition rounds that ended last weekend.

"It's been great, challenging and a learning experience. I have had a lot of fun along the way. It is what I expected and more," said Yendi who began her 'Rising Stars' hosting duties on April 26 in St Thomas.

She added, "It is more challenging than I expected but I am not disappointed. In having so many people to talk to and relate to and being Miss Jamaica (World)."

Phillipps says she has been getting positive feedback from the people. In addition, she says she has been getting advice from people stating what they want to see her do on the live shows.

The auditions will start airing on TVJ on June 8 but Phillipps is more excited about the live shows.

"I expect that it will be fun and exciting. I am looking forward to the live shows more than anything else," she told The STAR.

Though she has many duties on Rising Stars, she also has other responsibilities as she is still the reigning Miss Jamaica World.

She says she will be hosting a summer camp for children in July and she also has other courtesy calls that come with winning the pageant.

Phillipps also has a Tallawah project that she is working on. The project will be launched later this year. It will serve to provide educational scholarships to students of all ages. It will also provide mentorship to inner-city youth and their parents.

When asked how she manages these duties, she said, "I don't know. I just have to cope, balance everything and try to keep organised. My life has always been a balancing act."

At the end of the competition, she says she might go overseas for modelling or entertainment. In addition, she will be running her Tallawah project.