The judging axe came down in full force as Idols SA hopefuls were cut from 86 to a top 32 contestants. But not a single Capey got the chop.
Theatre Week became the theatre of dreams for the lucky hopefuls who managed to secure a spot in the next round, while for others it was the stuff of nightmares.
Cape Town, still with the most contestants this season, came out tops as our 16 talents remain in the game.
They are Oratile Gaobodiwe, Amanda Mtambo, Luyolo Yiba, Thandokazi Goduka, Likhona Langa, Lance Florence, Wanda Gqiyaza, Serrano Leedenberh, Itumeleng Hoffman, Xola Toto, Nokubonga Fatman, Craig Jordaan, Nobali Cele, Lucia Mbo, Zia Fielies and Louise Nicholls.
Contestants had a playlist of 10 songs to choose from and, for the first time in the competition, they sang to the accompaniment of a pianist.
Gypsy queen with dreads, Louisa Nicholls from Strandfontein, showed off her singing talent in the group battle audition round as she joined Likhona, Treasure and Naledi for Rihanna’s Umbrella.
Elsies River’s Craig Jordaan, who turned 21 on Sunday, said: “I was in the first group of three, we were told by Randall [Abrahams] that we sounded like a cat choir, but Somizi said I gave too much emotion.
“They sent the two home and kept me. I cried because it was nerve-wracking.
“It’s brutal seeing the people sent home after just performing together.”
In what is dubbed the week of hell, the 32 hopefuls will be battling it out for the Top 16.
Idols SA Season 15 is on Mzansi Magic, on Sundays at 5.30pm.