Idols SA

‘Idols SA’ is not everyone’s cup of tea. Image via Instagram @idolssa.

‘Absolute trash’: Is ‘Idols SA’ hitting more than one false note?

From winners crowdsourcing funds for an album to judges in the negative spotlight, here’s why ‘Idols SA’ might have run its course.

Idols SA

‘Idols SA’ is not everyone’s cup of tea. Image via Instagram @idolssa.

Idols SA used to be one of the most popular reality shows on TV but it seems people have grown bored of the competition. 

‘IDOLS SA’ IS DESCRIBED AS ‘ABSOLUTE TRASH’

Idols SA season 17 ended on 21 November. If you were following the series you would know 31-year-old Berenike “Berry” Trytsman won the singing competition.

While many were ecstatic that Berry won Idols SA season 17 and took home the R1 million cash prize, others thought the competition had gone on for too long. 

One person who strongly feels the singing competition should end is Phumlani S Langa who writes for City Press. 

“Listen, don’t talk to me or call me trying to talk about Idols SA. This show has done one thing consistently – be absolute trash. It purports to be the quintessential search for hidden talent, but does not fail to churn out artists nobody listens to after they unveil their first single,” he wrote.

He explained that the winners have not really progressed in the entertainment industry. The first-ever Idols SA winner had to crowdsource funds for an album. 

“Wasn’t Heinz Winckler – the first winner of this nonsense – trying to crowdsource funds to make an album not so long ago? Where are Lloyd Cele and Vincent Bones? They both won. ‘South Africa’ voted for the person they thought to be the most talented and those acts proceeded to drop albums that barely sold wood, let alone gold or platinum,” he continued. 

ALSO READ: ‘Idols SA’ winner Berry Trytsman to settle debt with R1m prize money

THE ROAST OF THE JUDGES 

Langa also thought that there were issues with the judges of the competition. Starting with Randall Abrahams, popularly known to be the “tough” judge on Idols SA. He was described as a Simon Cowell “wannabe.”

“When was the last time Randall Abrahams produced a project you cared to hear? He’s out here trying to be the coloured Simon Cowell,” wrote Langa.

He thought no one would want an album out of former Idols SA judge Somizi Mhlongo. Somizi was put on “time off” after his estranged husband Mohale Motaung accused him of physically and psychologically abusing him. 

Unathi on the other hand has been fired from Kaya FM. This was after she got into an altercation with radio personality Sizwe Dhlomo. Unathi claimed Sizwe Dhlomo verbally abused her but the audio clips he leaked proved otherwise.

“Somizi Mhlongo is an out-and-out entertainer, but nobody in their right mind is looking for an album from him. Unathi Nkayi needs to chill on making the headlines for every reason other than making music, as she’s a decent artist … at least she was. How can you be passing judgement on new talent when your output is cold or damn near nonexistent?” he continued.