Shamica Sorhaindo takes home QTS 2011 title

The second instance of Q95 Talent Search wrapped late Saturday night with Shamica Sorhaindo besting the other eleven finalists to claim the title of QTS 2011 Winner before a capacity crowd at Arawak House of Culture.

The finals was split into two rounds of performances, the first being an international song and the second being one from the Caribbean and Sorhaindo finished ahead of Chad Astaphan (first runner-up), Tahirah John (second runner-up) and Anderson Angol (third runner-up), after a bone-chilling rendition of Destiny’s Child’s ‘Standup For Love’ and Alaine’s ‘Rise in Love’.

She spoke to DNO immediately after the show and said, “I’m very excited. I never expected to win, but I did want to place, but I’m the winner and I am happy. The journey was hard; a lot of practice and hardly sleeping but it was worth it. I am just so excited. I just want to continue singing.”

Sorhaindo wins a top prize worth over $15,000 which includes an album, a music video, $1,500 in cash and other gift items and the opportunity to perform at LIME’s Creole in the Park. She was also awarded Best Vocalist.

Astphan, who thrilled the crowd with his performances of ‘I Wanna Know What Love Is’ and ‘Celebrating the Journey’ was a bit disappointed at not claiming the top spot but was happy that his friend had won.

“With my performances I try to be outstanding and just bring something completely new to the table. I could have done even better tonight but I am happy and blessed that I performed they way I did and the judges felt the same way. Shamika is a great singer, great person and great friend. I am happy and proud she won. She deserved it and I can’t wait to see her perform at Creole in the Park,” he remarked.

Third place finisher, John admits that she did not expect to even place in the competition but was quite pleased with her performance and indicated that she thoroughly enjoyed her journey.

She said, “I didn’t think I would place. I struggled through my songs but I gave it my best shot tonight. It was an interesting competition. It helped a lot in terms of building on my confidence and figuring out what I want to do with my life and I’m not going to give up on my dreams and I’m going to keep trying. It was definitely a great experience.”
Angol, who finished fourth, sported the tattoos and hair of RnB superstar Chris Brown as he sang the artiste’s ‘Next To You’ and donned dreads as he performed Nasio Fontaine’s ‘When’, much to the delight of the audience.

Angol relayed his disappointment at his place after a lot of hard work, “It was pretty cool, the training, the people, the environment. We all tried to make tonight the best that we could do. But tonight I’m disappointed but all the same I had fun doing what I was doing. I can’t let that disappointment stop me. But I’ve grown a lot vocally and in terms of attitude, so I’m looking forward to doing other things.”

Second place prize was valued at $10,000 and includes $1,250 in cash and other gift items, third place received a prize worth $5,000 including $1,000 and other gifts and fourth place received a prize worth $2,500 including $750 in cash.

Meantime the finals also included the launching of last year’s QTS winner Asher Thomas’ debut album entitled ‘Love and Pain’ which is now available for purchase from the offices of Q95 for $45.