BTC Starmaker welcomes Season 5's Contestants with a Bang

Mon, May 5th 2014, 10:32 AM

BTC Starmaker, Bahamas' most viewed reality television show, returns this year with promises of new twists and challenges. On Friday, May 2, BTC hosted a reception at the British Colonial Hilton Hotel to welcome 18 lucky contestants who made it through the initial interview process and now have a chance at the prize package including a $10,000 endorsement contract, the opportunity to act in a Film by international director Russ Parr and the chance to be the newest face of BTC. The filmed judging process is now in process for the next few weeks for the popular Starmaker reality show.

The evening began on a high note as the potential BTC Starmakers mixed and mingled with invited family and friends, the BTC Starmaker judges, past winners, and the night's keynote speaker Mitzi Miller, Editor-in-Chief of Ebony Magazine.

“From the moment I heard about [BTC Starmaker] I said 'Wow. This is a great opportunity” Miller said, in her keynote address. “For so many, they miss their moment... What you are about to embark upon over the next couple of weeks is your moment. Every second of it is precious. It's about hard work, it's about focus, and it's about being present more than anything else... Stars aren't just born, your star is earned, and that is what the next few weeks are about. I hope you will make the most of it.”

For many of the contestants, the opportunity to win Starmaker 5 is truly a moment for them to realize their dreams. Junior contestant Moniqua Bain said, “I am passionate about acting and I've always wanted to advertise a brand. I am doing it for the amazing experience.” If she wins Moniqua plans to use the prize money toward a degree in culinary arts.

Throughout the month of April the judges conducted rigorous rounds of interviews with hundreds of hopefuls in Nassau and in Freeport to select the cream-of-the-crop group that attended the party. Ultimately 18 lucky finalists were selected: Alexandria Pratt, Antaineko Pratt, Chavis Sherman, Deangelo Symmonette, Daniella Joseph, Davonte Sands-Gay, Gabrielle Stubbs, Kaijah Higgs Lasharon Butler, Leroy Armbrister, Moniqua Bain, Nicolette Russell, Obrio Denoye, Owen Smith, Rachel Mason, Shannon Moxey, Tarantee Laing, and Tonesha Smith.

“We are very impressed with the young people the judges have found this year,” said Marlon Johnson, VP of Brand and Communications of BTC, “I believe Starmaker 5 is going to be the best season yet.”

As congratulations for their hard work and outstanding performance in the competition to date, the contestants were each awarded a brand new Samsung Galaxy S5 phone. “I'm overwhelmed at the moment to make it this far; it's a bit of a rush,” said thrilled junior contestant Deangelo Symmonette, “Just making it this far is a blessing. We get this free phone, which I'm in desperate need of, and great exposure. There are big brands here tonight!”

BTC Manager of Public Relations, Jerome Sawyer added, “Through this programme, BTC wants every participant, win, lose, or draw, to walk away with something great, something that will leave a lasting impression on their lives. Not just these phones, but the communication and self-branding skills that they gain from their experience on the show, every step of the way.” BTC Starmaker season 5 premiered on Thursday May 1 with a recap of the past seasons. The first original footage episode is scheduled for Thursday May 8, on ZNS.

About BTC Starmaker 2014

Contestants entered to win the title of the ‘next face of BTC’ and a $10,000 contract to promote the products and services of the company. They were interviewed by a panel of judges via a nationwide casting call earlier this year and on May 2, 2014 16 contestants aged between 13 and 30 moved into the Starmaker House for televised, reality show competitions to find the Junior and Senior winners.

The 2014 Judges are photographer Kovah Duncombe, modeling and etiquette specialist Deborah Geear-Bethell, image consultant and branding specialist Stacia Williams and winner of season 3 of Jamaica TV's Mission Catwalk, fashion designer Theodore Elyett. Each week viewers will see two contestants eliminated from the series, until 6 finalists remained for the big finale.

The BTC Starmaker show is extremely popular among youth and adult demographics. The Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas ranked it second only to their ZNS TV 13 newscasts in viewership and popularity. Viewers are encouraged to stay tuned for the weekly opportunities to win smart phones, phone credit and other BTC products and services. Customer contests will also be held through the www.btcStarmaker.com website and social media outlets which included Facebook, Twitter Instagram and FourSquare.

Marlon Johnson, BTC VP of Brand and Communications and Carol Barnett, BTC Manager of Events and Sponsorships present Editor-in-chief of Ebony Magazine, Mitzi Miller with a thank you gift from partner Columbian Emeralds

The social contestants take every opportunity to meet new potential fans. L-R: Contestants Devante, Lasharon, Daniella, and Obrio and BTC staff member Leslie

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