Somizi to debut as Idols SA judge

This season all the episodes will be two hours long, with Somizi Mhlongo joining Gareth Cliff, Unathi Msengana and Randall Abrahams on the judging panel.

“By now, we all know what to expect from our esteemed judges: Randall will be his nit-picking, brutally honest self; Gareth will fire off witty remarks; and Unathi is bound to shed some tears. So the big question now is how Somizi will perform his judging duties,” says M-Net’s Head of Publicity, Lani Lombard.

“Prepare yourself for the highest level of energy, Somizi’s trademark pizazz and all kinds of spontaneous moves. But he will also impress with his practical music knowledge and deep insight into the world of showbiz.”

In the first episode we’ll see how Somizi made his first appearance at the State Theatre in Pretoria, where the countrywide auditions for Idols SA Season 11 kicked off this year.

While the show on M-Net and Mzansi Magic will feature some of the best – and worst – singers who eagerly awaited the judges’ comments, all the auditions will once again be played on the Idols SA Extra channel, channel 199 on DStv, from the time the show’s end credits roll.

Next week Sunday, the auditions will move to the GrandWest Casino and World of Entertainment in Cape Town and the following two episodes will feature the good, bad – and ugly – at The Playhouse Theatre in Durban and Carnival City on the East Rand.

The lucky few who receive a precious Golden Ticket will then face the music again at Idols SA’s gruelling Theatre Week before the Top 16 will sing for the voting public.

Among the slate of performers in the first episode is a former drama student who entered the competition as his female alter-ego; the handsome son of a famous South African musician; a singer-songwriter who busks to make a living; a young man who supports his entire family; and an ecstatic Idols fan who has a big crush on presenter ProVerb.

But can they sing? And, will they go home with a coveted Golden Ticket?

Catch Idols SA on DStv or on Mzansi Magic, channel 161 on DStv on Sundays at 17:00, from Sunday, 12 July.