Focus Baje to the World Season 3 takes shape Barbados Today23/02/20230240 views The contestants of Season Three of BAJE To the World. By Michron Robinson To become a star just like Rihanna may be one in a billion, but contestants of Baje to the World Season 3 are being encouraged to not give up on the arts as they can still shine in their own way. During a press briefing of Season 3 of Baje to the World on Tuesday evening at the Warrens Office Complex, Warrens, St Michael, Chief Judge Senator John King encouraged the contestants to excel. “One thing that I’ve noticed is that when you speak to young artists, they say that they want to be like Rihanna. Let me give you a little wake up call… that is one in one-point-one billion. It doesn’t happen just like that overnight, but if you do pursue a career in music there are so many different tiers that you can be involved in and still make yourself relevant to audiences,” he advised. While sharing his personal journey having exited the entertainment scene in 2014 to take up elective politics, Senator King explained that music never left him because when he became Minister of Culture, one thing he had to do was to sing. “I ended up singing in Japan, Cuba and Africa. It just goes to show you that this is a thing that goes with you for all of your life as long as you are passionate about it,” King added. Chief Mentor TC (left) joined by other mentors including Michelle Hinkson, Natalie Burke and Ziggy Walcott. Meanwhile, Chief Mentor Terencia T.C. Coward agreed with Senator King that Rihanna’s global success is exceptional, but that doesn’t mean that others can’t win with their own talents. She recalled that in a conversation with musical icon Nicholas Branker, who said that while everyone is striving to be Rihanna, the industry would be better if there were artists producing work consistently and effectively. “As John said, Rihanna’s circumstance [is one in a billion] and that is a special situation. We want you guys here every evening consistently,” Coward stressed. Senator King described the talent this year as even more spellbinding than that of Season 2. “We were totally blown away by the talent that we’ve seen on Season 3. Season 2 was awesome, but I think Season 3 took us to a whole other place,” he said, adding that this was the first time that he was able to judge the auditions himself. Chief Judge Senator John King. King urged the contestants to make the most of their stint with Baje to the World. “I want you to take this opportunity and grasp it with both hands and make good use of it,” he told the audience. Senator King also pleaded with parents and relatives to support their very own, as it will undoubtedly help them on their journey. Acting Chief Community Development Officer Yolanda Skeete provided brief remarks to the 22 contestants. “I know that each of you will grow and develop. Yes, it is a competition, but at the end of the day we want to see every single contestant with some aspect of development,” she said. Acting Chief Community Development Officer Yolanda Skeete. Skeete added that the competition is all about growth and gave the assurance that support will be provided. “We at the Community Development Department will ensure that you reach your maximum potential because that is what we desire,” she pledged. The contestants will also have workshops by the Barbados Revenue Authority, COSCAP, the National Insurance Scheme, the National Transformation Initiative and other stakeholders. The dates for the preliminaries for Baje to the World 2023 are: 19 March – Daphne Joseph Hackett Theatre 26 March – Lester Vaughan School 2 April – Grantley Adams School 10 April – Christ Church Foundation School 16 April – Frederick Smith School 23 April – St George Secondary School The semi-finals are on April 30 at the Dover playing field and the finals take place on May 14 at the Botanical Gardens. (MR)