This Thursday, the 12 finalists of ‘Stars of the Future’ season 5 will finally take to the stage to justify their inclusion into the popular singing competition. Although the series was launched a few weeks ago, Thursday will be the first time the contestants step onto the big stage to perform to a live audience.

The 7 girls and 5 guys: Grace Ocansey, Kwame Wiredu, Emmanuel Yawson, David De-Graft Crentsil, Rauhel Halidou Yacouba, Asantewaah Essel, Elizabeth Joseph, Daniela Dankwah-Coffie, Abigail Bih, Reynolds Addow, Noella Wiyaala and Henry Nuamah will not only battle one other for the spotlight but also compete with the ‘Icons: Divas Edition’ singing competition, which is already gaining grounds on the reality TV landscape.

Since the commencement of Stars of the Future (SOF), it has always battled with TV3’s Mentor for relevance and supremacy. This season, SOF seems to be feeling the heat from Icons. It all started when it was earlier reported that due to its inability to stage season 5 last year after a nationwide audition process, some of the shortlisted finalists of SOF also auditioned for Icons and advanced further in the search. This was evident when Rauhel Halidou Yacouba was evicted from the Icons Boot Camp only to make it into the top 12 list for SOF.

The actual competition between the two shows is yet to begin as SOF launches into its live performances but already it seems Icons is setting a new pace with its format.  When Icons started with its post performance series, it unveiled one Freeman as the voice coach for the girls. Last weekend, Stars of The Future also revealed the same person as its voice coach. Also, SOF in its past 4 seasons never showed the viewer any footage on contestants in dancing or choreography class (if indeed they ever had such classes).  But on last Sunday’s episode of SOF, viewers got to see the contestants in dancing and choreography class – after Icons had early showcased the girls working out at the gym and taking dance lessons in Boot Camp. Hmmm!

Anyway, the 12 finalists of SOF have been working very hard in the past three weeks, preparing for their first public show. Their performances on Thursday will be supported on stage by the Patch Bay Band. Admission to the weekly performances scheduled to come off at 6Pm every Thursday at the National Theater will be free. Patrons are encouraged to come out in their numbers to support their favorite contestants and also vote to keep their favorites in the competition by texting their names to the MTN short code 1750.

SOF 5 shows on Sundays at 1:30PM on GTV and 3PM on e.TV. There is a repeat show at Mondays, 12.30PM on GTV. The weekly eviction shows will air Tuesdays at 9PM on e.TV and 9:30PM on GTV. There is also a radio series of SOF 5 on YFM every Monday at 7PM .