Hero’s welcome for PE’s ‘Idol’
Idols star receives hero’s welcome on return to PE
IDOLS star Bevin Samuels received a hero’s welcome at the Port Elizabeth Airport yesterday, a few days after his swansong in the competition. More than 80 family members and friends gathered at the arrivals foyer waiting for the Top 6 finalist to make his way through the doors.
The overwhelmed 19-year-old from Gelvandale was seen taking selfies with fellow passengers while waiting for his luggage.
The crowd, holding banners and placards, and clad in T-shirts with Samuels’s face on them, cheered as he first shared a long embrace with his mother, Benita.
“It is all so overwhelming. I did not expect so many people to show their support,” he said.
“The competition is done now and it feels so good to be back home. I missed this place so much.”
Trying to catch his breath during the overwhelming response from his supporters, Samuels said he could not wait to get cracking with his plans for the future.
“I kind of expected to leave the competition on Sunday,” he said.
“Later on when I checked my messages, there were a few from producers, which means I will have my work cut out for me.
“If things keep going this good then I will definitely become a full-time musician.”
Samuels, who will be in Port Elizabeth for the next two weeks before he heads back to Johannesburg to prepare for the finale, said with the offers on the table he needed to sit down and take time to make an informed decision.
“Although I will have some time on my hands, I can’t afford to spend it resting. I need to plan my next move,” he said.
“I need to research who I want to work with and produce my first single, as this will determine my career path.”
Samuels said he needed to start building his brand as an individual musician away from the show.
His proud father, Cecil January, 43, said: “We are extremely proud of Bevin. He has really shown that he has got what it takes to make it big.
“The Idols stage was just a platform for him, but now he needs to take his future into his own hands and soar to greater heights.”