The South African idol is back with a twist as the search for the winner of the 2022 18 season is underway.

The music competition’s live performances will start with 12 and not the usual 10 contestants singing their way to first place.

This comes after a stressful and exhausting couple of weeks for the contestants who have had a tough week of famous theatrical performances.

The top 12 were announced during the two-hour show on Sunday night, which featured a very impressive performance by the top 32 that has been narrowed down to 12.

The contestants were surprised after it was announced that instead of the usual top 16 at this stage of the show, only 12 contestants would have the chance to perform in the live show starting next week.

This season’s judges Somizi Mhlongo, Thembi Seete and JR Bogopa have done a good job, it’s now up to viewers to decide who stays on the show.

Here are the top 12 contestants of Idols SA Season 18.

Ceejay

A lucky third time that quote applies to Ceejay, 24, from Stanger in KwaZulu-Natal, who failed to get a golden ticket in season 16 before narrowly missing out on the top 16 spot in season 17. .

Expect

Hope, 23, from Pretoria in Gauteng, started singing at the age of 5 and participated in many school plays. Hope says joining the Midlands Youth Choir has opened up a new avenue for what music should be like.

Kabelo

Kabelo, 24, from Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal is no stranger to the stage where Idols SA competed in season 16. After making it past the group stage, he says he will be back to prove a point.

Lerato

Lerato, 27, from Johannesburg in Gauteng has not competed in several years since his first attempt years ago. After losing confidence in her singing ability, she came back strong.

Mpilwenhle

Mpilwenhle, 23, from Johannesburg in Gauteng has spent years perfecting her sound and better understanding herself as a musician. She felt that it was time to show her talent on the Idols SA stage.

Nandi

Nandi, 21, has been performing since she was young. She was a member of her church choir before performing at the Market Theater in Johannesburg.

Noxolo

Noxolo, 25, started singing at the age of 5, playing with her father. She cemented her relationship with music through the church. Despite making it to the top 12 of the competition, she believes she has a gift that the whole world will eventually be able to witness. She is also excited about the upcoming live performances and hopes audiences can connect with her.

Nozi

Nozi, 27, first joined Idols SA in 2016 but failed to make it past the first cut. This year, she’s back and wants to make a point.

Tesmin-Robyn

Tesmin, 23 years old, has participated in the competition 3 times. Having reached the top 16, she hopes this year’s season will come to an end.

Thapelo

Thapelo, 29, a Pretoria-born perfectionist, has spent the past few years honing his musical skills. In 2012, he joined a gospel group as a backing vocalist and made sure he was ready to take the lead.

Ty

Ty, 21, had no idea he’d entered Idols SA a second time until he received a phone call – it turns out his girlfriend had secretly uploaded a video “just to see if the show would call back.” “.

Zee

This year’s youngest contestant, 18-year-old Zee, started singing in second grade. The teenager decided to enter the contest after graduating in 2021