When Ernest was given the boot on the ?Stars of the Future? reality show, it left most of the contestants wondering when they will be axed. You see, Ernest was one of those highly tipped to win the contest so his eviction came as a surprise to many.

All the same, just as anything in entertainment, the show must go on. It was Specialist Night last Friday; contestants, down to 9, chose their own songs, with the backing of Johnny Fingers, music director, and the Shabbo Crew Band.

Bibie enjoyed the night?s first performance ? Sandra?s rendition of Beyonce?s ?Listen? on the ?Dream Girls? movie. Zapp felt inspired by the performance. Next came Clare who did ?You raised me up?. She further deepened the mellow mood for the night.

But when she finished Zapp felt there was more she could have done with her voice. Bibie?s ears were slightly irritated by the ?sharpness? of her voice but was nonetheless impressed with the way she communicated with the audience.

Nana King had wanted her to ?work the stage some more?. She might have a chance to do just that next week ? if she stays in the competition.

Next onstage was Akill, singing Craig David?s ?Unbelievable?. His voice was not as smooth as it could have been, going off on few notes here and there. All judges picked up on the off notes and warned him that he might be kicked off soon.

The highly improved Betty then came in with Yolanda Adams? ?Fragile Heart?. Her performance was packed with so much emotion that it could seal a place for her in the top five of the competition ? or so it seems. It was good enough to give Bibie goose bumps and as usual Nana King rose to his feet and gave her a ?Kpo! Kpo! Kpo!?

Justice took up ?I need an Angel? by second American Idol winner, Rubben Studdard. This performance was probably not his worst yet, but he managed to end his very dodgy start with an impacting end. The judges warned him against being over-confident and asked him to work more on his diction.

Then came Daniel, who did Lionel Richie?s ?Love oh Love? with a reggae twist, in a performance he dubbed ?California goes to Jamaica.? But his voice sounded strained and he could probably have done better at a lower octave.

Frederica?s back in the game but her rendition of Nicole Mollen?s ?On my knees? was a bit too shrill. Despite that, Zapp and Bibie felt relieved that she was ?getting back into the competition?.

Twum Barima went for another R. Kelly song: ?The Storm Is Over?. The Twum B fans in the audience took the song to another level but the judges were not as impressed, warning him to refrain from shouting while working on his diction.

Noble performed last and went for Seal?s ?Kiss from a rose?. The band drowned him out somewhat and we couldn?t hear him sing.

Yet he pulled through. His choice of difficult songs continues to impress the judges and he was commended for that.

With Ernest?s departure, the idea of going home seems more real now to all the remaining contestants and they all seem determined to take their game a notch higher. To celebrate Republic Day, the contestants will gather for a special show at the National Theatre on June 28.