Talent on display at Lux Gem Show

By Michron Robinson

There was just no stopping the winners of the Lux Gem Talent Show 2022 from earning those top spots at the Daphne Joseph Hackett Theatre on Saturday evening.

Bringing their A-game and bagging first place were Malik Hamilton and Alana Bailey. Hamilton stepped out dapperly dressed in white with a wide brim hat and sang Ordinary People. The new king of talent also showed versatility as he took to his steel pan to convey his message. Scoring 91.20 points, he also copped prizes for Most Impactful and Most Original Act. 

While the queen of talent for the evening, Alana, who scored 73 points, had the audience wrapped around her finger with a dreamy, melodious voice. She performed Andra Day’s Rise Up, which led some in the audience to rise with a standing ovation.

While speaking to the media about their wins, both performers said their success was unexpected. “Honestly, I am shocked. I never thought I was going to win, but I did put in the work. I am shaken up by it, but I’m feeling happy,” Alana said. 

The new king of talent said: “I would say for me it wasn’t planned, but I did what I had to and I made it work. I put on the piece and it went well.” 

First runner-up in the male category was Kyrique Alleyne, who scored 89.80 points. Alleyne gave a superb rendition of the country hit Gravity by John Mayer.

 In the female category, the first runner-up was Amira Cordice, who performed Stand Up by Cynthia Erivo. She shone on the night as her vocals created goosebumps. 

It was a close call, but the second runner-up was Romario Phillips, who performed a self-penned piece titled Everyone Needs Someone which focused on mental health and struggles with suicide. 

Mental health and well-being was a recurring theme amongst performances. Even a speed painting piece, Torn to Pieces, by Alisha Best explored the issue of abandonment from parents and pulled on the heartstrings. 

 

Second runner-up in the female category was Amber Hinkson, who performed a dramatic spoken word piece called On the Other Side, which depicted the challenges experienced in life and how to surmount them. 

Other performers included Tremal Whitehall who played his violin covering Sip (Alcohol) by Joeboy, Javed Forde who did a dramatisation entitled Say a Prayer for Me and Rhea Forde who recited a poem called I Am HER focused on stepping into her own power. 

The Lux Gem pageant will take place on January 8, 2023.

(MR)