Final four face off in karaoke championship

Tonight is the night. Out of the forty-nine contestants who appeared over the first twelve weeks of K.T.V., we’re down to the final four. The three women and one man hail from Belmopan, Corozal, Burrel Boom, and Crooked Tree. This afternoon they took a break from their preparations to talk about what the experience has been like so far.

Janelle Chanona, Reporting
For the past four months, the show has been a testimony to Belizean talent but there can only be one winner in Channel 5?s Karaoke Television 2005.

Coupled with excitement and enthusiasm, tonight?s four finalists profess an equal share of fear.

Lorraine Bennett, KTV Finalist
?The most anticipated moment for tonight is that I don?t forget any of the words or fall down the stairs.? (laughs)

Melonie Gillett, KTV Finalist
?I am dreading that my voice will give in on me, that?s what I?m dreading. But I guess when I?m–the few minutes to me being on stage, that?s the most nerve racking part.?

Reccie Pollard, KTV Finalist
?Before I come stage, I am like so nervous. When they start to cheer it makes me feel a whole lot better.?

Angelo Fabro, KTV Finalist
?I don?t really have no magic word, I just go out there and perform.?

Each contestant is convinced their play list is the winning combination.

Lorraine Bennett is singing tunes from Etta James and Regina Bell?s ?If I Could?.

Lorraine Bennett
?It?s a song that a mother sings to her children, if she could, because all the criminal activities that are happening in the world today. And you wish you could change it for your child to grow up in a safe world, but you can?t, you just have to do the best you can and let your child go.?

Melonie Gillett
?Asi Fue? by Juan Gabriel and ?I Will Survive?, Gloria Gaynor. I chose those songs because ?Asi Fue? is a very popular song. Also which also adds to it, it?s Spanish and being that I don?t speak Spanish, it?s challenging but I like it, I like the song very much. ?I Will Survive?, we all know that?s a favourite and it has been somewhat a woman?s anthem kind of thing, so I think people will like it and it?s very lively.?

Reccie Pollard
?I will be doing, ?It?s All Coming Back to Me? from Celine Dion and ?Bidi Bidi Bam Bam? from Selena. Number one, why I chose Celine Dion, she?s a great artist, I love her, I think all her songs are inspiring. And for Selena, I think that she?s a great artist also and I think strongly believe that not because she?s dead should her songs should go along with her.?

Angelo Fabro
?The first song is ?Bridge Over Troubled Waters? by Elvis Presley and ?Living La Vida Loca? by Ricky Martin. I really love the way people have reacted to me. I didn?t think I would be the kind of person who would be the centre of attention, so it?s a very good feeling.?

A big part of the show has been the interaction of participants with host William Neal and members of the audience.

Janelle Chanona
?I know William like put in his lee jabs, have you been thinking of things to say to him to get him back for anything??

Reecie Pollard
?A lot of things, I will make sure I get him back tonight.? (laughs)

Participating in this year?s season has changed the lives of the finalists. In his hometown, Angelo Fabro has been baptised with a new name.

Angelo Fabro
?At Corozal, that?s my name now. Just Elvis Presley, ?hey Elvis?, what can I say. Well it helped because it?s a countrywide thing and I know everyone is watching and I just love to entertain. I love the way the people react, I just want to entertain them. You know the only thing that brings me back is not the prizes, but the way the people react; that?s the feeling I love, not the prizes.?

For the contestants, support from friends, family, and even strangers has been instrumental to their performances.

Melonie Gillett
?It has been wonderful. I never thought that I would do something like this, but I am definitely happy that I did it and whatever happens, I had a wonderful time. It has been a very interesting journey.?

Janelle Chanona
?So final question, how many buses coming from Boom??

Melonie Gillett
(Laughs) ?I think I?ll stick with one. They won?t be able to fit, so I?ll stick to one.?

Lorraine Bennett
?I just hope that I don?t let them done tonight, I really, that?s my biggest fear to tell you the truth. I really just appreciate everything everybody said to me, the kind words, they were singing R-E-S-P-E-C-T, it?s good.?

All four finalists will take to the stage tonight at nine.

At news time all the tickets for the show had already been sold, so viewers are invited to pick a comfortable spot in front of the TV and cheer for your favourite singer at home.