Francine Black, Staff Reporter

A number of former Rising Stars contestants are divided as to who they believe should be crowned the new Digicel Rising Star for 2008.

After weeks of eliminations, the all-male group, Kahlil from the west, is competing against Cameal Davis, who is from Kingston. The winner will be decided completely by public vote, which began on Sunday and will end today.

Kahlil

Suzanne Perkins, who placed third in the competition in 2006, said she believes Kahlil will take it. Perkins, who is also from western Jamaica, said she had also been voting for the quintet. "I think Kahlil is going to win because they are very good," she said.

She said she also voted for SLR throughout the competition, but when they dropped out of the competition she shifted her attention to Kahlil.

Just wonderful

Wayne Williams, a top-10 contestant in this year's competition said he is supporting Cameal and has been voting for her.

Cameal Davis

"My pick of the two is Cameal. She has been consistent, she has a wonderful personality, she's jovial. Whenever she sings, there's just a light," he said.

Lashana Stephenson, who placed fifth in this year's competition, was not willing to make a pick. Instead, she said both were good talents and were capable of winning. "They are equally talented, both of them have a good chance," she said.

She added that the buzz on the street that she heard suggested that there was slightly more support for Cameal. But she said she has been voting for both.

Similarly, former contestant Lenya Wilks, who placed fourth in last year's competition was reluctant to pick a winner, instead saying either could win because they were both good talents. "You can't compare both because Cameal gets back-up singers to do her thing each week, while Kahlil has to work as a team to put out a good show," she said.

Woman time now

Lenya Wilks - File photo

At the same time Wilks said it was time for a woman to get the top prize. "It's full time now for a woman to win Rising Stars. Both have talent, but, who ever win it will still be good," she said.

Similarly top-10 finalist from the 2006 competition, Jim Laden, who now goes by the name Laden said that he wants a female to take the top spot. "I think we should give the lady a chance. Cameal, a my favourite dat," he said.

However his vote is one of words, because he has not been voting for her. "The love mi have fi har, a my vote dat," he joked.

Laden - file photo