Eighteen singers will be advancing to the semi-finals of the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports’ Gen-Y Factor Talent Showcase and Competition: District Battle Edition.

The department through its partnership with JTV Live and sponsorship by telecommunication provider Digicel, held auditions of over forty singers from February 20 through March 3 on the ballroom floor of UP’s Cineplex.

Mrs. Lettsome-Tye said, “We are very pleased to have each electoral district in the Territory represented in this competition, as this was our main mission. The department is well aware of the talent cascading these beautiful Virgin Islands and we are always eager to have them come out and display their talent for us.”

Mrs. Lettsome-Tye added, “We saw a great number of individuals during auditions and our judges had a difficult time deciding. They were all simply amazing. However, with our confirmed semi-finalists, we are all very excited to see what will happen in the semi-final round.”

The eighteen semi-finalists, two from each district, will be assigned vocal coaches who will provide mentorship through the semi-final round. The vocal coaches will continue to work with the performers in preparation for the final competition in June.

The district battle semi-finalists, all between the ages of 15 to 29 are Malvern Wyke and Kathlyn Archibald-Drew representing District 1; Jade Hodge and Matthew Murray representing District 2; Shauna-Kay Miller and Kevonnah Polluck representing District 3; Dailia Lambert and Essynce Evans representing District 4; Abigail Christopher and Lebritnie Legair representing District 5; Jamori Blaize and Janae Estridge representing District 6; Lorenzo Thomas and Lonisha Darlington representing District 7; Zabdiel France and Dominique Cole representing District 8; and Jaani Rickets and Kadijah Roberts representing District 9.

The official Gen-Y Factor Talent Showcase and Competition provides local performers with the opportunity to share their talent with the public and will be held on June 17 at the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall in Road Town.

The winner of the competition will receive monetary awards, a free recording session with HomeGrown Studio, ambassadorial duties for telecommunication provider and event sponsor, Digicel, and many other prizes.

For more information, persons should contact the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports at 468-4949.

Photo Caption

1. Eleven of the eighteen semi-finalists for the Gen-Y Factor Talent Showcase and Competition: District Battle Edition. (Photo Credit: Kareem-Nelson Hull)