From the thousands who entered this season's Idols SA, only three remain, and only two will stand head-to-head in the grand finale on Saturday 4 November. This week saw the Top 3 Thabo, Princess, and Faith set the stage for an evening filled with anticipation and incredible performances.
The night was divided into three distinct rounds, each showcasing a different side of the contestants. In the first round, they partnered with the renowned DJs Heavy K and Deep London, delivering explosive performances that had the audience on their feet. Round two had each contestant revisiting their most memorable song of the season, providing both nostalgia and a chance to demonstrate growth. The final round was deeply personal, as each contestant took on their idols' songs, paying homage to the artists who inspire them.
Thabo's spectacular night
The praise from fans and celebrities alike, including a notable tweet from Cassper Nyovest, claiming Thabo as "the best thing to have ever hit the Idols stage," emphasised his remarkable evening. Thabo's collaboration with DJ Heavy K on Inde was applauded by the judges. His rendition of Stevie Wonder's Signed, Sealed, Delivered in the second round received positive reviews, with Somizi Mhlongo declaring: "It’s signed, it’s sealed and it’s delivered – it’s yours!" In his final performance, Thabo powerfully performed Hle's ‘You Are’, inspiring praise and a bold statement from JR Bogopa, hinting that Thabo might have outdone the original.
Faith's triumphant return
Having competed in Idols SA before, Faith's story is one of resilience. His first-round performance with Deep London's ‘Piano Ngijabulise’ was highly rated. The highlight was his second-round choice Bhudaza’s ‘Tjontjobina’, which Somizi emphasised as a golden genre for him. In the third round, his rendition of Selaelo Selota’s ‘Thrrr… Phaaa!’ proved his versatility and keen song choice.
From Princess to Queen
Earning the first spot in the Top 3, Princess dominated the stage from her first performance with Deep London on ‘Hamba Wena’, with Thembi Seete even suggesting a name change from Princess to Queen. The climax was her performance of Rihanna’s ‘Russian Roulette’, which saw the judges compliment her impeccable vocals. Closing the evening, her rendition of Beyoncé's ‘Listen’ was described as a "smart song choice" by JR, underlining her strength in ballads.
The evening also marked the end of Nkosi’s journey, leaving the Top 3 to compete for the ultimate title.
As the farewell season of Idols SA winds down with just two shows left until the grand finale on 4 November. Fans can look forward to next week where the top 3 will debut their original studio singles recorded with JR’s Feel Good Music. The Top 10 will also reunite on stage for a massive showdown.
With appearances by Cassper Nyovest in the upcoming episodes and PJ Morton returning for the finale, the excitement is undeniable.
Who will be the last to claim the coveted title of Idols SA? Make sure your favourite contestant makes it to the grand finale by casting your votes.
Idols SA airs every Saturday at 18:00 on Mzansi Magic (DStv Channel 161), thereafter on Mzansi Wethu at 19:30. Catch up on your favourite performances on DStv Stream. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. Join the conversation using #IdolsSA. Tickets for the live show taking place at Joburg’s Mosaïek Teatro are available for R40 through Computicket.