Things are going to change on the set of Idols SA after self-proclaimed “king of bling” Somizi Mhlongo joined the show as a judge.
Mhlongo, known as “Somgaga”, was announced the new member of the crew on the first day of auditions of season 11 on Saturday at the State Theatre in Pretoria.
He joins Unathi Msengana, Gareth Cliff and Randall Abrahams.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch yesterday Mhlongo said when he got the offer from Idols SA he could not believe it.
“For the past two years I’ve been helping choreograph the show stoppers show and I never expected to be one of the judges,” he said.
The last time Idols SA had four judges was in 2009 when the founding judge Dave Thompson was still part of the show.
Mhlongo is the son of veteran actress Mary Twala and the late comedian Ndaba Mhlongo.
He is known for his outstanding choreography and has choreographed a number of music videos and live productions.
Mhlongo was also one of the actors of the award-winning South African movie, Sarafina.
The dancer, singer and actor made his debut on Idols SA in 2013 when he mentored the top six’ showstoppers episode.
“It didn’t cross my mind that I would be a judge. This is exciting for me. I love attention but the love I got on Saturday was overwhelming for me,” he said.
Idols SA producer Gavin Wratten said Mhlongo understood what it took for a performer to engage an audience, over and above just the music.
“That’s why we think his perspective will be an invaluable perspective in the judging process.”
Mhlongo said he would be looking out for the “razzmatazz” on the show.
“I am going to be my normal self and I am not here to crash anyone’s dream but I tell it like it is.”
M-Net head of publicity Lani Lombard said Cliff, Abrahams and Msengana were fantastic judges, “but we thought it would be valuable to add some extra ‘zing’ this year with South Africa’s king of bling”.
The next auditions will be in Cape Town at the Grand West Casino and Entertainment World this coming Saturday.
The Idols SA team will then move to Durban on February 21. The final auditions for Idols SA Season 11 will take place at Carnival City East of Johannesburg on Saturday March 1.
Eastern Cape hopefuls will again this year get a chance to take part when Algoa FM hosts auditions.
Algoa FM’s Jennilee Peremore said the auditions would take place in Port Elizabeth.
“We have e-mailed the M-Net team to confirm the exact dates with us. But it is usually in the first week of February,” said Peremore.
She said they would announce the dates when they have been confirmed. — poliswap@dispatch.co.za
‘King of bling’ ready for fresh challenge as judge
Mhlongo, known as “Somgaga”, was announced the new member of the crew on the first day of auditions of season 11 on Saturday at the State Theatre in Pretoria.
He joins Unathi Msengana, Gareth Cliff and Randall Abrahams.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch yesterday Mhlongo said when he got the offer from Idols SA he could not believe it.
“For the past two years I’ve been helping choreograph the show stoppers show and I never expected to be one of the judges,” he said.
The last time Idols SA had four judges was in 2009 when the founding judge Dave Thompson was still part of the show.
Mhlongo is the son of veteran actress Mary Twala and the late comedian Ndaba Mhlongo.
He is known for his outstanding choreography and has choreographed a number of music videos and live productions.
Mhlongo was also one of the actors of the award-winning South African movie, Sarafina.
The dancer, singer and actor made his debut on Idols SA in 2013 when he mentored the top six’ showstoppers episode.
“It didn’t cross my mind that I would be a judge. This is exciting for me. I love attention but the love I got on Saturday was overwhelming for me,” he said.
Idols SA producer Gavin Wratten said Mhlongo understood what it took for a performer to engage an audience, over and above just the music.
“That’s why we think his perspective will be an invaluable perspective in the judging process.”
Mhlongo said he would be looking out for the “razzmatazz” on the show.
“I am going to be my normal self and I am not here to crash anyone’s dream but I tell it like it is.”
M-Net head of publicity Lani Lombard said Cliff, Abrahams and Msengana were fantastic judges, “but we thought it would be valuable to add some extra ‘zing’ this year with South Africa’s king of bling”.
The next auditions will be in Cape Town at the Grand West Casino and Entertainment World this coming Saturday.
The Idols SA team will then move to Durban on February 21. The final auditions for Idols SA Season 11 will take place at Carnival City East of Johannesburg on Saturday March 1.
Eastern Cape hopefuls will again this year get a chance to take part when Algoa FM hosts auditions.
Algoa FM’s Jennilee Peremore said the auditions would take place in Port Elizabeth.
“We have e-mailed the M-Net team to confirm the exact dates with us. But it is usually in the first week of February,” said Peremore.
She said they would announce the dates when they have been confirmed. — poliswap@dispatch.co.za
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