Idols in Top 10 fight

The studio phase of M-Net’s Idols drew to a close on Sunday 1 March and a series of sparkling performances by the Top 12 contestants had even the judges befuddled — anyone can clinch a coveted spot in the Top 10.

Some performers who didn't shine last week confirmed that they deserve to go to the next phase, while stars from the past disappointed with mediocre performances.

It's now up to the voting public to decide which two contestants will leave the competition tonight (Monday 2 March) during the 'Idols' Results show.

"I just can't see how the fans are going to decide who to vote for," judge Mara summarised the standard of the night's performances, pleased by the fact that the judges don't have a vote anymore.

Lendel Moonsamy (23) from Durban opened the show, singing 'Over You' by 'American Idol' star, Daughtry. Dave expressed concern over Lendel and said he was very disappointed. "Something was lacking." Mara said Lendel has a great voice and the choice of song didn’t matter, but Gareth agreed with Dave that Lendel didn’t have the range for that song. However, Randall felt sure that he would still be around next week, and advised him to choose a "defining" song for the Top 10. Vote for Lendel by calling 086 2277712, or SMS "Lendel" to 34680.

Nineteen-year-old Mathew Moolman from Cape Town decided to swing with the old standard, 'A Foggy Day (in London Town)', which was originally sung by Fred Astaire, but recently updated by Michael Bublé. Dave doesn't like old-fashioned songs in an Idols competition, but said Mathew's performance was so good that he couldn't complain. "You pulled it off so well," said Gareth. Mara thought Mathew was "brilliant", but Randall wasn't impressed. "You sounded like a really bad lounge singer," he sighed. Vote for Mathew by calling 086 2277705, or SMS "Mathew" to 34680.

Lizé Heerman (21) from Durban chose 'Relax, Take It Easy' by Mika. Dave commented that he might have been a bit harsh on Lizé last week, but if that's what it takes to get performances like this out of her, maybe he should continue to be harsh. "It was OK," Mara shrugged, but Gareth said he was "astonished" at Lizé's unique interpretation and Randall thought it was "the best performance on the show so far this year". Vote for Lizé by calling 086 2277709, or SMS "Lizé" to 34680.

Eighteen-year-old Cameron Bruce from Johannesburg sang the ballad 'Goodbye Philadelphia' by Peter Cincotti. Dave called Cameron "one of the most special talents we've ever had on the competition". Mara agreed and said she couldn't criticise him at all. But Gareth didn't like this performance. "It just missed the mark completely." Randall commented that the both the song and the performance were boring. Vote for Cameron by calling 086 2277702, or SMS "Cameron" to 34680.

Suzzi Swanepoel (24) from Johannesburg put her own spin on Macy Gray's 'I Try'. Dave said he's urging people to put aside the idea that Suzzi might be "a pain in the butt" and to vote for the singing. Mara thought Suzzi was much better than last week, but she was still holding back. Gareth also thought it was "a bit breathy", but stated that Suzzi is not irritating. He did think that she's on her way out, though. Randall thought the performance was contrived. Vote for Suzzi by calling 086 2277714, or SMS "Suzzi" to 34680.

Jason Dean Hartman (29) from Midlands, KZN, sang the Percy Sledge classic 'When a Man Loves a Woman', which was more recently a hit for Michael Bolton. Dave teased Jason that he lost himself a lot of female votes by handing a romantic rose to his girlfriend in the audience. "You rock, baby!" Mara gushed. "That was a very, very good performance," Gareth said. "It was good, wholesome singing." According to Randall most people who sing that song come across like pub singers, but that this was a good performance. "But you should rather avoid songs of that ilk," he advised. Jason's voting number is 086 2277710, or SMS "Jason" to 34680.

Thembi Nkosi (19) from Johannesburg bravely selected Céline Dion's power ballad, 'Immortality'. "Wow," said Dave. "I don't think you realise how good you are!" Mara also thought Thembi is growing in leaps and bounds and agreed with Dave that her control was excellent. "You've scored some serious points tonight," remarked Gareth. Randall liked that Thembi didn't just mimic Céline but gave her own interpretation. To vote for Thembi, phone 086 2277701, or SMS "Thembi" to 34680.

Pixie Bennet (25) from Durban chose 'Black And Gold' by Sam Sparro. Dave wasn't convinced about the song choice, but he said her distinctive voice made the difference. Mara agreed about the song but still thought Pixie was a great performer. "Don't you worry about Dave and Mara, or the public vote — we know a good thing when we hear it," Gareth consoled. Randall said it wasn’t Pixie’s best performance but at least she looks the part. "The package is coming together nicely." Pixie's voting number is 086 2277706, or SMS "Pixie" to 34680.

Twenty-six-year-old Graeme Watkins from Cape Town sang One Republic's megahit, 'Stop and Stare'. "If you'd had another performance again this week like last week's benzene-fuelled train-smash, you would have been in trouble. But this week you proved you really can sing," Dave commented. "Last week you looked like you were possessed by something," Mara agreed, but added that this week he bounced back. "I'm really pleased that you're back in the game," said Gareth. "You're a ready-made pop star." Randall agreed: "It was about a trillion times better than last week." Graeme's voting number is 086 2277713, or SMS "Graeme" to 34680.

Daniel Baron (17) from Johannesburg was brave enough to choose a song from an artist Randall hates — 'Feel' by Robbie Williams. "Nice job," Dave said simply. "There was no way I had such confidence when I was your age," Mara said, but Gareth thought Daniel's performance was just competent. Randall was also not very impressed. Daniel's voting number is 086 2277707, or SMS "Daniel" to 34680.

Ntsepa Pitjeng (26) from Johannesburg tackled 'If I Were A Boy' by Beyoncé. The audience loved it and Dave commented that Ntsepa will continue to be very popular regardless of the outcome of the competition. Mara reckoned she has "the va-va-voom". "At one point you can't believe," Gareth teased. "That's how good you are!" Randall said if she's still here next week, she has to make sure she's "in the zone" from the minute she steps on stage. Vote for Ntsepa by calling 086 2277711 or SMS "Ntsepa" to 34680.

Sasha Lee Davids (18) from Cape Town closed the show with 'Bring Me To Life' by Evanescence. Dave withdrew his comment from when he predicted that the Top 3 would be all boys. Mara said she had no idea how the public would make up their minds this week. "I llllloved it!" Gareth raved. "Last week I liked your performance — this week even better," said Randall. Vote for Sasha Lee by calling 086 2277708 or SMS "Sasha Lee" to 34680.

Viewers can vote via SMS or on their landlines. The two performers with the fewest votes will go home, so viewers have to vote for their favourites. Voting lines opened at the beginning of the show and will stay open for 24 hours. On Monday evening between 7pm and 7.30pm the country will find out which two contestants didn't have enough support to keep them in. Results will be screened live from the M-Net studios on Monday 2 March.

Next week the Top 10 finalists will move to the Teatro at the Mosaic in Fairlands, Johannesburg, where they will perform in front of a live audience. Tickets to the Spectaculars are available from Computicket.