VIDEO: The Voice SA – PJ Is Out, Top 5 Revealed

With only two weeks to the grand finale of M-Net’s prestigious singing contest The Voice SA, the Top 5 talent were announced tonight. Fans cast more than a million votes this week to take Caroline Brussow, Craig Lucas, Fatman, Josh Ansley and Samantha Leonard to next Sunday’s spectacular semi-finals. This means that PJ Pretorius (26) from #TeamKaren had to bid the show farewell tonight.

“Never stop dreaming,” PJ’s Coach Karen Zoid told him after host Lungile Radu revealed the final voting results. “Go out there and make a name for yourself – I’ve got your back, always,” she promised.

In his original Blind audition, the affable young singer from Secunda received three chair turns from the coaches for his rendition of Coldplay’s “Yellow”, and beat Durban’s Chico Muya in the Battle rounds performing Bruce Springsteen’s “Secret Garden”. In the Knockouts he beat out Port Elizabeth’s Emma Ellis with an acoustic version of the Pink anthem “Perfect”, accompanying himself on the guitar. He made it through to the Top 8 with a dose of Shania Twain’s “You’re Still The One” in the second Live Showstopper show at the Mosaïek Teatro, but his Top 7 performance of the Temper Trap hit “Sweet Disposition” landed him in the Dangerzone, and PJ’s tender interpretation of John Lennon’s “Imagine” in the Top 6 show last week turned out to be his final performance.

#TeamKahn’s Fatman (41) from Bela Bela and #TeamKaren’s Samantha Leonard (24) from Kimberley found themselves in the Danger Zone with PJ tonight, and had to give the performances of their lives in tonight’s Top 5 show.

Up first tonight was #TeamKahn’s Craig Lucas (23) from Cape Town, setting an upbeat tone with the late Amy Winehouse’s classic “Valerie”. “You’re an amazing vocalist, it’s natural for you,” Lira told him, and Bobbie van Jaarsveld agreed. “You’re an entertainer by heart,” he said. Craig’s Coach Kahn Morbee said he has “the X-Factor”, and “I believe, regardless of who wins this competition, you will be a superstar,” he said.
Craig’s voting number is 01.

Musical theatre veteran Josh Ansley (31) tackled James Arthur’s hit, “Say You Won’t Let Go” tonight. Coach Kahn commended Josh for taking a risk with a more modern sound these days. “Your voice is phenomenal, I’m envious of your voice,” he admitted. Karen Zoid remarked that Josh had undergone a serious transformation over the past few weeks. “Your soul is shining,” she told him. And Josh’s Coach, Bobby van Jaarsveld, promised that there was even more to come! “Next week he’s going to blow your minds!” he grinned.
Josh’s voting number is 15.

For #TeamKaren, Samantha Leonard (24) from Kimberley touched the audience’s hearts with the wildly popular Brandi Carlile ballad “The Story”. Kahn thought it was an excellent song choice that showed off her vocal range. “You are a full package!” Coach Lira raved, calling Sam a cross between Shania Twain and Riana Nel. “She is ready to go out there and tour, and make lots of money!” a proud Coach Karen exclaimed happily.
Sam’s voting number is 08.

The Pride of Bela Bela, #TeamKahn’s Fatman (41), continued his streak of interpreting big power ballads when he took on Robbie Williams’ iconic “Angels”, accompanying himself at the grand piano. “Daai was baie mooi,” Lira told him in Afrikaans. “This is the only competition in the world that a dream like yours could come true,” she noted happily. “And you’re suddenly the fashion guy as well!” Bobby joked. “I think what you’ve showed throughout out the show is that you’re an accomplished musician,” said Kahn, proudly sporting a Fatman-hat.
# Fatman’s voting number is 02.

#TeamBobby’s sweetheart Caroline Brussow (32) from Bloemfontein belted out her second Sia track of the season, the smash hit “Titanium”, and received a standing ovation from the audience at the Mosaïek Teatro. “What a performance!” Karen shouted happily. “You are titanium, you’re amazingly strong, and I believe you will be very successful in your life,” she told Caroline Grace. Coach Kahn enjoyed that Caroline had showed more of her vulnerable side tonight, and “that’s why you are the best female audience in the show!” Coach Bobby said proudly.
Caroline Grace’s voting number is 13.

Voting for the Top 5 opened at the end of the show and will close on Tuesday, 27 June at 22:00. Tickets for The Voice SA live shows are available from Computicket.