Social media in Guyana has been on fire since Sunday with “Lisa Punch” and “Rising Star” trending. The Guyanese song bird, now based in Brooklyn, made her international debut fittingly with the debut of ABC’s singing competition which promised a revolutionary new format.
In “Rising Star”, the audience votes through the use of an app downloaded on their mobile and tablet devices. It is the audience, right then and there who determine the fate of the contestant as their opinions, through their vote of ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ are at the forefront, above the judges’.
If the contestant surpasses 70% a massive wall is raised and the contestant moves on to the next round, if the wall does not rise due to lack of adequate votes then the contestant is sent packing. Each judge (actually called ‘experts’ on the show since they do not judge or determine who goes forward) only offers advice and counselling. The experts, Ludacris, Kesha and Brad Paisley could also