–of ABC’s ‘Rising Star’ reality show

GUYANESE songbird Lisa “the knockout” Punch is one of the final 30 contestants selected for the new ABC Reality song show, Rising Star.In a press statement, ABC named in their Top 30 the 21-year-old Guyana-born, Brooklyn-based singer who migrated to the United States in December 2013.

According to the statement, the series airs over 10 weeks, and beginning July 13, the series will be aired for one hour weekly. The field of contestants will continue to narrow until the night of the finals, when just one of the remaining acts will be named the Rising Star winner. The audience will be used as real time judges for the new TV Show.

ABC Entertainment says that to vote for your favourite contestant, home judges (viewers) can download the Rising Star ABC app through the Apple App Store, Windows Market Place, or the Google Play Store.

“The App is essential to participate in the voting process, but it’s totally FREE and easy to use. Just register with your Facebook or Twitter account and you’re ready to go. Before each performance, you’ll be asked to check-in, and then when it’s time to vote, swipe BLUE (to the right) to vote YES or RED (to the left) to vote NO”, the release said.

Those votes will be seen live on the broadcast, and persons will be able to follow their votes to ensure their favourite singer moves forward.

Internationally acclaimed singer and songwriter Josh Groban will host the show; while country music superstar Brad Paisley, music sensation Kesha, and hip- hop artist and actor Ludacris will serve as the expert panel of judges.

Lisa Punch is no stranger to the stage, and was the first and only winner of the local talent contest Star Guyana. She has a number of original songs that were written and recorded in Guyana, and is also known for taking on different genres of music and making the songs her own.

Lisa completed her secondary education at the North Georgetown Secondary School and the Bishops High School in Guyana. She started a career in broadcasting and theatre just after leaving school, and worked with NCN Radio before moving on to 94.1 Boom FM, where she hosted a number of shows and served as an Entertainment Correspondent.

The Charlotte Street, Georgetown “home girl” has belted out her soulful voice at a number of national events. She was the vocalist of the theme song when Guyana hosted the Caribbean Festival of Music and Arts.

Although she now calls the US home, Lisa continues to stay in touch with her home country through her music. You can follow Lisa Punch’s Rise to Stardom on Twitter @lisapunch and on Instagram @lisapunch592

(Alex Wayne)