OUT
Niikiey
Age: 18
Hometown: Vosloorus, Johannesburg
Wise beyond her years, Niikiey describes herself as a “humble superstar-in-the-making”. Having been made fun of growing up, she’s come to embrace her uniqueness.
She started singing in church aged six, before joining gospel singing groups throughout her youth, eventually branching out into genres such as amapiano. The Idols SA callback came at a perfect time: Niikiey says she wasn’t sure what her next step in life would be. “I thought, ‘this is God pulling through for me’,” she says.
Stage presence is important to her, and she hopes the show’s audience connects with her when she’s performing. Lebo Sekgobela and Buhlebendalo Mda are the musicians Niikiey most looks up to, while season 15’s Sneziey is her favourite former Idols SA contestant.
Niikiey feels that her authenticity and passion for music are what drives her. She originally wanted to be a therapist or chartered accountant, but she knows she is currently on the right path: “I don’t believe that God gave me this gift to just sit around with it.”