Mmatema goes live
AFTER IDOLS: NO ONE-TRICK PONY, SHE’S WORKING ON AN ALBUM
TReality TV show runner-up stays strong through her beliefs.
he lyrics to the chorus of Aaliyah’s 2001 hit single Try Again best explain Mmatema Moremi’s journey to her moment in the spotlight – if at first you don’t succeed, dust it off and try again.
The 24-year-old won the hearts and votes of many viewers in the eleventh season of Idols SA. Her powerful voice and star-quality performances led her to be the last female contestant standing in the season.
Although her rise to what she describes as “instant fame” was not struggle-free, her fighting spirit resulted in her breakthrough.
“I went to Idols three times and I slept in queues every single time I went. I kept going because I always believed in what I have now. After not going through the first few times, I made a deep self-introspection and decided that this is what I want and that I would not stop until I got it,” Moremi says.
She captured audiences from the early stages of the competition, producing a great social media following, a loyal fan base and a spot in the finale. Although she lost to Karabo Mogane, she says she values the platform and exposure that Idols gave her and understands the importance of building herself in the industry.
“Idols does not make a star, it introduces a potential star. It made us see that we need to work hard. We were given everything, we were given publicity, we were given amazing sound, we were given everything. But right after the show, all of that was over. I realised that we have to now start from the ground and make our way up,” she says.
Hoping to shed the title of runner-up, the Limpopo-born songstress is working hard to rebrand herself as an entertainer who sings, acts, dances and presents.
Even though she is armed with all the ingredients to be a pop star, she says she would rather be doing inspirational and uplifting music which will be featured on her upcoming album.
“The type of music I’m working on now is not necessarily gospel, I would rather describe it inspirational uplifting music. I speak to people through my music, I can mention God, I can sing about God, but I am aiming more to speak to the hearts of people. I’m not here to tell you about God, I’m here to motivate and tell you that he still loves you,” she explains.
She has made no secret of her devotion to Christianity and has even had a backlash from fellow Christians about her outfit choices at events as a devout Christian. She says that she is hoping to break and challenge stereotypes of being Christian in the entertainment industry.
“I’m trying to break the idea that as a Christian you need to be uptight and be narrow-minded, that’s not Christianity. Christianity is a lifestyle, you need to have fun, you need to enjoy the presence. You don’t have to oppress yourself.”
Idols does not make a star, it introduces a potential star