Digicel Rising Stars returns for its sixth season on April 18 with its first audition in Portmore. The talent competition which had its launch live on TVJ'S Smile Jamaica this morning is poised to be better than last year.

Yendi Phillips

Yendi Phillips is back on board for this years’ competition and all systems are go for the most popular show in the history of Jamaican television to start rolling cameras in search of Jamaica’s next Rising Star. Of course the judges will be there and Kiki will be in the Chill Room holding it down!!

The show’s producer, Sharon Schroeter can’t wait to get the ball rolling: “Our first auditions are April 18 in Portmore, and we move from there to Ocho Rios then onto Montego Bay, from there to May Pen, and then ending in Kingston.

Some changes expected this year:
*auditions will be held in May Pen for the first time
* auditions will be one day instead of two
* more stories about the contestants courtesy Digicel--giving you a more intimate look at each persons journey
*fans can expect a better qualigy show due to increased hours of production


Digicel’s Brand marketing Manager, Marlon Davis commented that Digicel is more than pleased to be able to continue as the shows’ title sponsor.

This is one of those projects that we are especially pleased about as the show gets bigger and better every year. As almost every Jamaican watches Digicel Rising Stars, the show brings Jamaica's biggest family together, the Digicel Family.”Davis said, adding that he’s particularly excited about the live launch, and the changes in production.

Cameal Davies 2008 winner

These sentiments were echoed by the show’s executive producer, Tahnida Nunes: “This season is going to be our most exciting season yet,” a smiling Nunes said. “While it’s going to be a little more work from our end in terms of the hours we’ll have to put in for production of the show, Digicel Rising Stars 2009 is shaping up to be a fantastic ride. Last year, we had our first female winner and that was amazing, so who knows what else can happen this year


After the auditions only 16 lucky finalists will see their berth into the studio finals, and benefit from experienced hands like Michael Harris and Michael Holgate, the shows’ voice specialist and performance director.

One thing is certain... of those 16, only one will become the 2009 Digicel Rising Star.

For the first time ever in its five year history Jamaica has a Digicel Rising Stars female champion.

Cameal Davies from the Kingston 14 community of Denham Town beat out the final man standing (men really since it’s a five member group) Kahlil. She beat them in all three performances on Sunday September 28^th.

Judge Nadine Sutherland told her that she did not win because she is a woman but because she is the best.

Not only great on the stage, her accomplishments include being appointed head girl, student of the year and valedictorian of her graduating class in 2003. That same year, she received a scholarship to attend a summer programme at Kettering University in Michigan. She now goes on to represent Jamaica at the Regional leg of the competition in Barbados.

The Live Television shows will take place at St Gabrielles school in st Michael and starts at 6pm every Saturday with the grand finale on November 15^th. Grand prize is $10,000.00 cash USD, a recording contract and a Sony Ericsson phone.