Joash didn’t want to miss a thing . . . but he did!
IDOLS Season 10 is well under way and the reality series’ popularity has not waned.
This is partly because of the astounding singing talent that is being unearthed, partly for the wry comments made by the judges, especially Randall Abrahams, but more so because of its hilarious sideshow – The Wooden Mic. Over the years there have been some classic croaks and chokes and this year the contestants did not disappoint.
Joash John of Chatsworth may not have received a Golden Ticket on Idols SA, but his popularity has increased.
But not for all just good reasons. The 22-year-old law student is one of the few Indian South Africans who entered this year’s singing competition.
However, he and some of the other participants, including Kashvir Jithoo and Kimeshree Pillay, will not follow in the footsteps of previous South African contestants Lendel Moonsamy and Crystalene Nair.
Viewers got to see John’s rendition of the Aerosmith song I Don’t Want To Miss
a Thing when the episode aired a week ago. While some enjoyed the performance, others including the judges, were not as thrilled.
“Unathi said my singing voice sounded different to how I speak. I don't know what she meant.
“She suggested I do another song but Randall said no. Gareth (Cliff) said nothing. I guess he was trying to figure out my voice. So eventually I did not get through,” he said when the newspaper interviewed him minutes after his audition at the Playhouse in February.
John remains unfazed by the negative criticism though and would like to continue his singing career.
“I've heard there are many places on Florida Road (in Durban) that allow people to sing. I may do this for experience.”
After the episode was aired on DSTV Channel 198, John’s popularity has increased.
He said a few days ago, while at the bank at the Chatsworth Centre, some of the employees recognised him.
“They said they watched the screening and wanted to know about the judges and how the competition worked.”
His friends encouraged him to enter after he sang for them during some of their social activities.
“Things did not go as planned. It was a case of last minute nerves. However, there were other auditions which I completed that were edited.”
M-Net’s Head of Publicity, Lani Lombard, said most of the people who entered Idols believed they could sing.
“There are also the handful of contestants who just want to be on television or who arrive with the mission to win the Wooden Mic.
“This year’s numbers were not great. This is why M-Net and Mzansi Magic encourage people from all backgrounds to enter. We run marketing campaigns targeting wide audiences,” said Lombard.