3 Lessons I learned from the Finalists of Digicel Rising Stars 2024

From the auditions to the end of the 20th season of Digicel Rising Stars, I was curious, reflective, excited, and inspired. I stood firmly on Ashanique Watson's bus and was convinced the showdown would have been between her and Akeen Fennel. This season was amazing. 

But, the last three shows taught me three valuable lessons and I want to put them in your mind as you read this. 

I will use the three finalists to represent lessons that I believe all of us need to grasp and run off with into the wind. 

Ashanique Watson

It intrigued me when she shared that each year she would say, 'This is the year I am going to enter the competition.' But, she never did. It wasn't until this year that a friend picked her up and said, 'You are going to the auditions.' I was blown away by her voice. Amazing! 

Sometimes, you may lack the confidence to step out and do what you truly desire. Your mind fights the belief that you are capable of diving in and taking the risk. Ashanique's friend pushed her because she had the confidence that her friend was more than capable. Throughout the competition, she grew in her performance and her delivery. But, it wasn't until she returned to the competition after being sent home that I saw the fire and true confidence blaze out of her. She pushed and made it to the top three. And it's so important we take a moment to cross our legs and sit on this. The woman we saw at the auditions, was not the same at the show for the top three finalists. She grew. She may have been riding on the confidence of her support system in the initial stages but something happened for her when she walked away with third place.  

Renecia Bernard 

One thing about us Jamaicans, we are going to give you a nickname. Renecia aka the 'Pink Princess', 'Pinky' or 'Voting Machine' is proof that the steadiness of one's belief is deeper and more tangible than the opinions of others. She had the self-belief that she deserved to be in that competition. 

Akeen Fennell

Akeen had a sense of likeability throughout the whole competition. But, I decided to highlight his resilience. Something was throwing him off close to the end of the competition. We can only assume what it was. But, when he was knocked off his game: he sprung back excellently. He took the feedback, made the adjustments, refreshed himself, and went at it again. 

These three stars represent three stars that we should keep in our pockets regularly. The confidence to do, the self-belief to be able, and the resilience to refresh and go again.