The Wow Factor! Yes, ‘wow’ was the word on everybody’s lips after the final of the competition which took place last Sunday evening at the Sala Fortuna in the Hotel Torrequebrada. The spectacular show was hosted by Maurice Boland, our Honorary Patron, and Hannah Murray of REM.fm and was produced by Steve Shappelle.

 

Each contestant sang ten songs and the panel of judges chose five singers, all ladies, to sing in the second round. The judges, namely Jason Gardiner, from ITV’s hit show, Dancing On Ice, Tony Cowell, brother of Simon Cowell of the X Factor and American Idols fame, Laura Krier, host of ABC Radio’s Fame Games, record producer Robin George of Damage Control Music and local entrepreneur and philanthropist Bassim Haidar, were ruthless and brought some of the younger contestants to tears.  However, the five became two after a second round of singing, leaving Geneva Lane and Natasha Rosandic to sing for the last time to impress the judges.  Geneva was announced the winner and was awarded with her prize trophy and a beautiful bouquet of flowers. She will record a song specially written by Paul Sedkowski and will have 500 CD’s made of the song. We wish her every success in her future singing career.

 

From our point of view the competition has resulted in a tremendous boost to our finances. At the last count the gross amount raised is approximately 39.000 € and still counting!

 

We would like to thank the volunteers, organisers, the producer, the contestants, the sponsors and the people who came to watch the heats, semi-final and final of what, we hope, will become an annual event.

 

You are all stars as far as we are concerned. Wow!