Females take all but one spot in Richard Stoute Over-21 final

And then there were 10.

After a pleasing display of talent at the semifinal of the Richard Stoute Over-21 Competition at The Derrick Smith School and Vocational Centre on Saturday night, nine females and a solitary male will battle it out for bragging rights in the final on November 2 at the same venue.

The ten are Shaquan Smith, Zoe Armstrong, Lisa Hackett, Shaneka George, Alicia Alleyne, Jacqueline Stoute, Jaleesa Greaves, Kenyah Joseph, Kimberly Allen and Amirah Cordice.

Smith might have been outnumbered by the female contenders but he stood out with his sweet vocalisation in both his appearances while rendering Creep by Radiohead and Unbreak My Heart by Toni Braxton. It was especially with the latter that he captured the hearts of the audience, and, no doubt, the favour of the judges.

Alicia Alleyne had a strong night with her take on Beyoncé’s All I Could Do Was Cry and Keisha White’s Weakness In Me. She was consistent with her smooth delivery in both selections.

Jacqueline Stoute might have been somewhat physically incapacitated but this had no impact on the confident vocals with which she charmed the crowd. She did justice to her rendition of Midnight Blue by veteran local entertainer Wendy Alleyne and Stay by Barbadian superstar Rihanna.

One of the highlights of the show was the performance of Kenyah Joseph. She exuded the confidence that complemented her ability and delivered two excellent songs. She rendered Skyfall from the soundtrack of the James Bond movie of the same name and completed her good showing with another Adele number, Love In The Dark.

Amirah Cordice not only sang well but she looked great doing it. Gliding across the stage as if slowly skating on ice, she did One Night Only by Jennifer Hudson from the Dreamgirls movie and then Back to Black by the late Amy Winehouse. She aptly captured much of the sadness associated with the latter selection with her tone and vocal modulation.

Among the others making the final were Armstrong doing Valerie and Once Upon A December, Hackett with Don’t Cry Out Loud and I Who Have Nothing, George doing No More Nights and His Life For Mine, Allen with Greatest Love Of All and Can’t Give Up Now and Greaves doing Where Do Broken Hearts Go and Oceans.

Those performing creditably but perhaps having to take another shot at it another year were Nicole Sealy, Crystal Hope, Jalesa Mayers, Laverne Smith and Kiara Hinkson.

Romancia Murray entertained the fans while they waited for the results.

(CW)