Sunbird Mount Soche Hotel in Blantyre Thursday hosted the last auditions in the Sunbird Search for a Star which saw nine make it out of the 124 who auditioned.

During the auditions, Sunbird Tourism Limited Public Relations Officer Akossa Mphepo and E-Wallet’s Felix Njawala revealed that they will hold studios auditions next week at Mount Soche Hotel for all those who have made it through in all the auditions to come up with the best 16.

The two said they decided to hold the studio auditions in order to give people the best show which is set to kick off on August 16.

The auditions in Blantyre yesterday saw youths try their luck and while it was all smiles for the nine which included a teacher Miriam Phiri, McLuther Mambala Henry, Vimbai Bokosi, Louis Anthony Kafoteka and Teddy Maliza, it was tough for the others who failed to impress the judging panel of Marvin Hanke, Dumisani Mfune and Chikondi Kasambara, who came in for Rudo Mkukupha Chakwera.

Some tried to perform with instruments like the guitar but they all flopped while others were stopped before they could finish their songs and told outright that they should go and sing no more, they were simply not singers.
For some, they showed potential but were told this wasn’t their year but should try next year while others were given second chances but still could not make it through.

Some of the contestants felt the judges were just too mean in not picking them and one female contestant told the judges in the face after being turned down that “they were just being mean.”

Maliza who was the last to be picked and received a yes from all the three judges said he was about to leave after seeing that more people had not made it through.

“I gave up because I saw many people did not make it. But something just told me to go and try and I just don’t know how I made it,” said the 18-year old as he tried to catch his breath.

With nine being selected, Blantyre has produced the highest, one more than Lilongwe which registered eight. Zomba registered two, Nkopola in Mangochi three, Mzuzu three and Salima produced one.