By Tamica Garnett

GUYANA’S newest talent search show, “The Spotlight”, on a path to find undiscovered talent in Guyana, struck the proverbial gold when auditions opened on Saturday afternoon at the Giftland Mall at Liliendaal on the East Coast of Demerara.

There were golden acts in the show’s proceedings, like that of 14-year-old Chiona Archer, whose execution of Jessie J’s Masterpiece left a lasting impression on the judges; as well as that of the four-man gospel group Yadah.

A very confident Archer initially accompanied her song with her own beat, which she provided using a cup and a table. However, judge Russell Lancaster noted that this was distracting, and gave the Tutorial High student another chance to redo her audition without the cups; and what a difference it was!

Archer was a reminder of the likes of former Rising Star contestant Lisa Punch, who herself started out at a local talent competition very much like this one. Archer will sure be one to watch as the competition continues and contestants dream of making it to the finals to snatch up that coveted $2.5 million prize.

Others acts, like that of 29-year-old Eze Nurse, were all nerves, something that did not bode well for the rapper. Nurse, like the judges, was not too pleased with his performance, but the singer aims to go back to the drawing board, work on that nervousness, and come again.

“I’m disappointed because I was nervous, I didn’t pay any attention to the judges, just the camera; I just picked a spot and focused on it, so my body language was just frozen. So I was told that I didn’t show much attitude, and rapping comes with attitude, to let out my words more; and I agree with what was said. So I’m working on my stage fright,” Nurse disclosed.

Saturday’s auditions were the beginning of the twelve-week competition that is looking to find Guyana’s next big talent. Each contestant was given a 90- second slot to show the judges that they deserved to be in this competition.

Cambelleville’s Ronald Taylor is sure that he has what it takes to win this competition, and promises that by the time the dust settles, everyone will know why. Taylor’s piece was a performance of John Legend’s “Stay With You”. The 18-year-old doesn’t think his Saturday performance was an exact representation of just how good he is, but he’s hopeful that it was enough to get him to the next round.

And once he makes it through, fellow contestants watch out: he’s bringing his A-game. “Yes, I am very sure I have what it takes to win the competition. If the judges put me through, you will see that.” Taylor declared.

The inaugural show is a collaboration between E-Networks Inc and RED Entertainment; and auditions continue today at the same location, again from 12pm – 3pm. Following this weekend’s preliminary screening, all of the contestants will be called back for one last performance, from which a final 30 will move on to the next round. That number will be cut in half when things move into the subsequent round.

Things really heat up after that, as contestants are eliminated each week across a twelve-week period.