New Zealand’s undiscovered singing stars take a shot at fame when they go head-to-head in Māori Television’s new talent show 5 MINUTES OF FAME premiering tonight – Thursday 13 May 2021 – at 8.30 PM.
New Zealand’s undiscovered singing stars take a shot at fame when they go head-to-head in Māori Television’s new talent show 5 MINUTES OF FAME premiering tonight – Thursday 13 May 2021 – at 8.30 PM.
Hosted by Turanga Merito with judges Pere Wihongi and Bella Kalolo, the series is unique as two vocalists compete against each other in one of four categories per episode – teen, female, male and group. There are eight performances per heat and a total of six heats; only four category winners per heat progress to the quarter finals.
In the end, eight contestants will compete head-to-head in the final of 5 MINUTES OF FAME before the top four – a teen, a female, a male and a group – face off in song in a bid to win the overall title. The category winners and overall title winner will share a prize pool of $15,000.
“It’s really, really tough having to choose only one of the two in each category,” concedes singer-songwriter and vocal coach Bella (Ngāti Porou, Hāmoa, Tonga). “The amount of talent out there is amazing so to have two contestants go up against each other – with us having to say who goes through on the spot – is nerve-wracking to say the least.”
An award-winning musician, Pere (Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kuri, Ngāti Wai) agrees. “Choosing between contestants is the hardest part of this job – in fact, it’s the worst part! But it’s just as much about giving feedback and kōrero that will help them develop and perhaps come back for another go.
“I’m lucky to have my mate Bella there to add some professionalism, advice and perspective. She’s guided the talent in the rehearsals leading up to their performances so she has some idea of their abilities whereas I have no idea until I hear them that first time on stage.”
That’s another unique point of difference of 5 MINUTES OF FAME – the one-on-one mentorship that each act receives on stage with full production, lights, cameras and band before the heats are filmed. “I'd like to think I bring some knowledge around singing, performance and delivery,” says Bella. “So I help contestants bring out their best in terms of their stance, controlling their breathing, placement of notes and vowel shapes …
“It’s incredible to have someone go from singing in the back line of their school choir to being on stage with the full ‘she-bang’! But our quick-fire way of doing things is, I think, far less painful for the contestants and keeps the fun in the whole experience, albeit with a side of nerves.”
Coming up on 5 MINUTES OF FAME:
TEEN: James Stent from Ōtaki with 'Fly Me to the Moon' vs Te Pumanawa Rogers from Pakuranga, Auckland, with 'At Last'.
MALE: Hikawera Ferris, 24, from Christchurch with Bob Marley's 'Redemption Song' vs James Blake, 36, from Napier with 'Maumahara Noa Ahau'.
FEMALE: Amy Maynard, 33, from Hamilton with 'Shallow' vs Talitha Blake from Napier with 'Creep’.
GROUP: Tui Eilish Tahere-Katene, 14, from the Kāpiti Coast and James Stent from Ōtaki with 'Love You Like I'm Gonna Lose You' vs the Lei Lows from Gisborne with 'Knock Three Times'.
TEEN: Tui-Elish Tahere-Katene, 14, from the Kāpiti Coast with 'She Works Hard for the Money' vs Auckland 10-year-old Jaya Rees with the Whitney Houston classic, 'I Have Nothing'.
MALE: Callan James from Wellington with 'Feeling Good' vs William Rauhina from Taupō with 'Me and Mrs Jones'.
FEMALE: Tayla Gillard from Tuakau with 'Daddy Lessons' vs Hinera O’Rourke from Whanganui with ‘Leave with Me’.
GROUP: James and Talitha Blake from Napier with 'It Only Happens' vs Grace whānau with 'Can't Take My Eyes Off You'.
TEEN: Lucian McDemott from Taupō with 'I Don’t Wanna Be You Anymore' vs Rebecca Rice from Auckland with 'Just My Imagination'.
MALE: Chey Peters Wereta from Palmerston North with ‘Bring Change’ vs the 'Blind Assassin' from Putāruru, Jayke Homairangi Hopa, with 'These Arms of Mine'.
FEMALE: Atamira Walker, from Napier with 'Ain't No Sunshine' vs Madam Parker, from Tuakau with 'Not Gonna Cry'.
GROUP: The Pedro whānau from Kaikohe – sisters Sana, Aaliyah and Tyla-Jade – with 'Love’ vs Dynasty and Darlene Marshall from Tūrangi with 'Can You Feel the Love Tonight'.
TEEN: Georgia Astridge, from Auckland with 'A Change is Gonna Come' vs Makayla Purcell-Mainini, from Napier with 'Rise Up’.
MALE: Yusuf Guessous with 'Halo' versus Matt Williams, 35, from Auckland with 'You Give Me Something' by James Morrison.
FEMALE: Teuila Tuibena from Auckland with 'Fate' vs Mahinarangi Paige Lawrence from Flaxmere with 'Misty Blue'.
GROUP: TYC from Tuakau with ‘Ain't No Use’ vs Lady Renaissance – Elaina Hillman, Monique Urwin and Kyro Henare from Papakura, Māngere and Waiuku – with 'Weak'.
TEEN: Kapowairua Waitai, from Kaitaia with ‘Don't You Worry ‘Bout a Thing’ vs Tyree Wall, from Taupō with ’Ordinary People’.
MALE: Cameron Rota, from Whakatāne with ‘Lovely Day’ vs Nev Rolston, from Tauranga with ‘Whiskey Glasses’.
FEMALE: Kiisha-Rose Woodhouse from Christchurch with ‘If I Ain't Got You’ vs Letitia Butler from Motukaraka in Northland with ‘Mirror’.
GROUP: Pereira whānau from Auckland with ‘Love’ vs Mons and Hooks – Monique Te Paea and Hoki Kepa from Lower Hutt – with ‘I Say a Little Prayer’.
TEEN: Tamatoa Randall, age 11, from Nelson with ‘Glitter’ by Benee versus Nikau Grace from Ōtaki with ‘Evergreen’ by YEBBA.
MALE: Pereri King from Napier with ‘Love Won't Let Me Wait’ by Major Harris vs Adam Rangitaawa from Upper Hutt with ‘I'll Never Fall in Love Again’.
FEMALE: JK from Christchurch with ‘Mirror’ by Maddison Ward versus Peyton Morete from Wellington with ‘When We Were Young’ by Adele.
GROUP: TTRU – Te Ara Pounamu Pukeroa, Totorewa Malcolm and Uale Lefaoseu from Rotorua and Hamilton – with ‘Leave With Me’ vs Soul Purpose – Maile Ronald, Thomas Raki and S'ao Tafao from Auckland – with ‘Ain't No Mountain High Enough’.
5 MINUTES OF FAME premieres on Māori Television tonight – Thursday 13 May 2021 – at 8.30 PM.
ENDS
For images, interviews or further information, contact:
Kirk MacGibbon
Mātanga Tuku Kōrero / Communications Specialist
MOB: +64 21 20 33 777
EML: kirk.macgibbon@maoritelevision.com
