THE CURTAIN CAME DOWN on the 2011 Richard Stoute Teen Talent season last Sunday when the final of the Over-21 competition was held at the Plantation Garden Theatre.
Twelve hopefuls showcased their talents before chief judge Sheldon Hope, Peter Longfellow Bryan, Hallam Gill, Don Sir Don Marshall and Josephine Burns. The tabulator was Tony Clarke.
After the official start with the National Anthem followed by Stafford Callender’s rendition of Help Me Make It Through The Night and this year’s Teen Talent winner Everdene Smart’s Mercy Said No, it was time for emcee Christal Austin to introduce the first contestant Anthony Grazettes, who sang More Than Wonderful.
He was followed by Elroy Brathwaite with Smart Bajan. They paved the way for Tristan Alexander, who sang You Raise Me Up, before passing the mic to Paul Legall for The Day.
Bianca Boyce a familiar face in Teen Talent, then took the stage with Rolling In The Deep, followed by Sasky Louison singing River Deep Mountain High.
Troy Arthur was next up, and he serenaded the audience with I Believe, then gave way to Dave Cumberbatch, who rendered I Who Have Nothing.
Following his lead was Damian Catlin, with Just The Way We Are, before the final contestant Dennis Warner did Where No One Stands Alone.
The second half saw Grazettes belting out People Need The Lord, Brathwaite got Bad Lucky and Alexander proclaiming This Is The Night.
Legall offered When I’m Back On My Feet; Harvey did Smoke Gets In Your Eyes; Boyce declared He’s All The Man I Need; Louison sang Something Got A Hold On Me and Arthur was Somewhere.
Rounding out the tail order were Depeiza with Hallelujah, Cumberbatch with Why Not Trust God Again, Catlin with Beautiful Surprise and Warner with His Hand In Mine.
The eventual winner was Depeiza, followed by Harvey in second position and Arthur in third.
Of her win, Depeiza said she would like to thank Stoute for his encouragement and her seven-year-old son Keimaj for helping her choose the winning songs. She said she had some challenges with her voice before the contest and through her nervousness said a quick prayer – the rest is history.
Harvey said he was more than thankful because he had to suffer through some challenges with his voice before the competition, so much so that he had to see an ear, nose and throat specialist.
But it was through Stoute’s persistence that I persevered, and now I can thank God that I was richly rewarded with second place.”
Arthur said he was happy with his win, but felt he would have placed higher had he sung his second song in his natural voice.
“I am glad I was not a judge for the night. The competition was extremely tight.”
Among the guest artistes were Rebecca Carter (My Heart Will Go On) and Shadia Marshall (Simply The Best). Irvine Fatman Weekes and Cherish Breedy also performed. (MH)