OUT
Age: 18
Hometown: Johannesburg
Describing himself as fierce but sensitive, Sipho says his father discovered his musical talent while he was in pre-school, when his teachers would phone home to report on his boisterous behaviour. “The Beyoncé in me came out,” he laughs.
By the time he was in high school, he was well on his way in his musical journey, performing every chance he got, including at his matric dance.
Sipho is driven by fellow artists to hone his craft, and says he hopes the audience will see a performer comfortable taking centre stage. “I’ll make sure that I keep them entertained. In theatre week I only gave 30% of who I am. For the rest of the Idols SA journey, I’m giving 100%,” he says.
He looks up to Beyoncé, Ariana Grande, Michael Jackson, and Whitney Houston and admires Chloe Bailey. Season 14 Idols SA winner Yanga is his favourite.
Sipho’s Idols SA journey so far has driven home a message close to his heart: “As long as you believe in what you do, anything can happen.”