[WATCH]: IDOLS SA’s new panel of judges for Season 18

Idols SA is ready to welcome all talented South Africans back for Season 18. And this year the judging panel might look a bit different.

Media personality Somizi Mhlongo is back as a judge and joined by singer and actress Thembi Seete, and music producer and rapper JR. Seete and JR have replaced veteran judge Randall Abrahams and Unathi Nkayi.

Somizi Mhlongo is ready for this season of Idols SA

A calm and bubbly Somizi wasted no time in expressing how ready he was to feel “whole again” now that he’s back as a judge.

“All I know for sure is that my heart, soul and energy is going to be on the floor. I want to bring it like it’s my first time,” Somizi said. 

When abuse allegations arose against Somizi, he took a backseat as a judge in the previous season. However, the media personality made it clear that he wasn’t going to discuss anything from his private life.

And according to Somizi, his main goal for this season is to find “raw authentic talent” that will shake up the country’s music industry. 

While there were questions around the abuse allegations that saw @somizi taking a backseat as a judge in the last season of #idolssa, the media personality said he wasn’t going to entertain any talks surrounding his private life as… pic.twitter.com/6yc7Y0Yp3x

— Sowetan S Mag (@SowetanMag) February 16, 2022

JR is bringing something extra to the table

During the panel debut, JR also expressed how excited he was to go on his first Idols SA journey. The rapper even added that he feels he’s the perfect fit for the show.

“I am planning on bringing something extra this season,” he said. 

“With my background as a producer, I plan to help implement the knowledge I have in finding and unearthing raw talent.

“Coming into this, I want to be a judge that will want the best from an artist.”

With his background as a music producer, @JRafrika plans to help implement the knowledge he has to find and unearth raw talent in this season of #idolssa. pic.twitter.com/dmownBNuZw

— Sowetan S Mag (@SowetanMag) February 16, 2022

Thembi Seete is looking for that spark

Even though this isn’t Seete’s first experience with Idols SA since she was a guest judge last year, the performer still feels a “tad nervous” about stepping into the position of a resident judge.

“I’ve been in the industry for a long time and I know how it feels to want to feel the spark while on stage. 

“So, I’m hoping my contribution will help channel them in the right path and grant them the opportunity for a music career they deserve,” Seete said.  

@Thembiseete_ assumes her position as the new #idolssa judge. @SowetanLIVE pic.twitter.com/hJkBlmfTNW

— Sowetan S Mag (@SowetanMag) February 16, 2022