Digicel Stars

The STAR got an opportunity to speak with some of the top contestants at the end of yesterday's inaugural Digicel Stars competition, and they all seemed content, even if they didn't end up with a title at the end of the day.

"I have learnt that in all things you should give God thanks and sometimes it's not what you want or what you expect, but what God has in store. I am just glad they implemented gospel it's a good platform for Christians to minister through the media. I am also glad that they had mentor judges because they are where we want to go and I learnt a lot. I also want to say congrats to Sharona," John Ross said.

aspiring stars

DSL said he felt like a winner after making the top four of the 24,000 aspiring stars who turned out at the auditions.

"I feel very good to know that out of 24,000, I am one of the winners tonight and anybody who wants a decent platform to expose their talent, then Digicel Stars is the way to go," he continued.

"I will continue to push my music as far as the Almighty will take me and this is definitely not a red light - green light all the way," DSL said.

Third-place finisher Richie Bless who represented gospel told The STAR he was grateful for the exposure.

"I could never have paid for this window to expose my ministry and I give God the glory and honour. I knew I would have come this far because I have the talent, and I am just going to continue my work in ministering for Christ," Richie Bless said.

Lawayne Mclean, who finished second, could not rise above her emotions to express herself, however, she did manage to say she learnt a lot.

not stopping here

"Digicel Stars has taught me a lot. I am very glad for the platform which they gave to gospel. People who we would not have been able to touch, we got a chance to do so. I'm not stopping here, I am definitely going to take my music to the next level," she said.

Jonas was a happy woman.

"I don't know how to explain. I feel overwhelmed, I feel happy, I feel sad, I feel mad, I just don't know how to express myself right now," she laughed.

"I have learnt to be stronger. Yuh have to be strong to be part of this competition because there is a lot of negativity out there so you have to rise above that. I want to say thanks to my supporters, I love you all, and thank you very much Conroy my mentor," she said.

The winning mentor and judge Conroy Wilson said his work was not in vain.

"I feel proud, these girls have worked hard and I have worked very hard with them and to see that Jamaica appreciates, that is an overwhelming feeling. There is no greater joy for a performer. The voters did a good job but I would have preferred to see some other persons in the top four if I am going for talent," he said.

Judges Coffie and D Major both commented on their roles, saying the producers made a good decision to ascribe mentor roles to the judges.

While producer of Digicel Stars, Sharon Schroeter, was already optimistic about next year.

"It's the first time that we are having Digicel Stars so it's going to take a while to work in. We had some highs and lows but I think the crop of contestants that came in was very good. Digicel Stars, in coming years, will get greater. As a team we will sit down and see things that worked and things that didn't work," she said.