GLENHILLS resident, Arliya Peters, has tasted the thrill of fame after making it through to the third round of this year’s Idols competition. And despite being voted out recently, she is more determined than ever to make a name in the highly competitive industry. Last week, the aspiring star shared her one-in-a-million experience with the Northglen News.
The 17-year-old, who won the Gateway to Fame (GTF) competition last year, was invited to audition for Idols by one of the preliminary judges, Shelley McLean, who also happens to be the producer of the GTF show.
“I originally did not plan to take part, but after I was invited I decided to give it a bash. It was one of the scariest experiences of my life. It is something that I don’t want to experience again, but at the same time want to do it again,” she laughed.
The talented songbird’s first audition comprised a mash-up of One Republic’s Counting Stars and Ke$ha’s Timber, which impressed judges, Gareth Cliff, Unathi Msengana, Somizi Mhlongo and even the infamous Randall Abrahams, earning her a highly coveted golden ticket to SunCity. She also opted to play the piano during her audition.
Cliff told Peters that he was highly impressed by her mash-up, stating that it was ‘brilliant’. He added that it was not an easy thing to do. Peters said she was blown away when Msengana compared her to one of the biggest pop icons of the 21st century, Madonna.
And while Abrahams called her performance ‘precocious’, he said he loved her look and sound and eventually gave her his rare nod of approval.
“I will never forget the moment when I revealed the golden ticket to my family. We all jumped with excitement. It was one of best feelings ever, to know that I had accomplished something that I had worked so hard to achieve,” she said.
However, devastation struck during the third round when her raise to fame was cut short. She was sent home after a rendition of Brick & Lace’s Love Is Wicked with fellow contestants, Braxton Schoor (16), Marcha Lombard (19).
While talking to the Northglen News Peters insisted that this has not discouraged her from pursuing her dreams. “I have learned a lot during my time on the show. I received some criticism and will be spending my time improving the weaknesses that have been pointed out to me. All in all it was good exposure,” she said.
Upon completing matric next year she plans to study music at The Campus Of Performing Arts (COPA) or The African Film and Drama Academy (AFDA).
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