Against thunderous cheers and screams and with a mother running around in excitement at the Courtleigh Auditorium, Cameal Davies, hailing from the Kingston 14 community of Denham Town, emerged to create history as she snatched the well-chased 2008 Digicel Rising Star title.
Davies made history in the five year series to be the first female to win the Digicel Rising Stars Competition after past females contestants like Renee, Dianna Rutherford, Nickeisha Barnes, Lenya Wilks and Jodiann Pantry came close to walking away, but missed out to their male opponents. Davies however emerged with aggressive campaigning strategies and continuous improvements, leaving Kahlil in the dust, and take the cake in all three performances on Sunday, September 28, in what is described as a falter of Kahlil who, according to Judge Anthony, nabbed only the last performance which was "good but too late."
Just before the historic news, Nadine Sutherland told Cameal: "You are an example of what we can expect and what can come from young people, especially in the inner-city communities...Cameal you are an example especially to young females, you are a winner with grace, style and class."
Anthony offered that Jennifer Hudson's Spotlight was by far, the best song selection and performance in this season, while hinting: "You won't be winning tonight because you are a woman, but because you are the best contestant."
As the announcement of the winner came, many were not shocked, in fact many said they knew that The Denham Princess was going to win since it had many around Jamaica actively arguing about her improvements and her competition of five boys with five crowds.
"I don't know where to begin," the newly crowned Digicel Rising Stars Winner said as she fought to hold back tears of joy. Clinging to her second place winners, Kahlil, Cameal said: "I love them so much."
Davies expressed her gratefulness: "I just want to thank Jamaica, they have been behind us all the way. I say us because it's not just me, but Kahlil, SLR, K'Alee, Lashauna and the entire Digicel Rising Star family...thanks Digicel and big-up Mommy, she has really been behind me and believed in me."
Cameal's mother Juliet was equally in praise:"I believe in Cameal and I knew she could do it so it is no surprise that my baby won."
Runner up Kahlil wasn't feeling bad: "We have no bad feelings, and it's just pure love; we are really happy for Cameal. We're all champions."
In her performance that concluded the encompass purposive efforts of Digicel, Cameal was flanked by the five Mobay boys as they closed the season of Digicel Rising Stars with Yolanda Adams' Still I Rise.
Posted on October 4, 2008 14:52
let us see what will become of her career in the entertainment industry
Posted on October 4, 2008 15:04
now I know why rising stars was so boring from a female win the thing that is enough to let you know why it never sell off mi know people might nuh agree but if the males were stronger then the competition would a nicer.
P.S. please don't bring back Yendi Phillips - Yendi please do us a favor and find some thing else fi do
Posted on October 4, 2008 15:14
@ Nitro yuh come in like a b*tty man a weh yuh do vex because a girl won for the first time fire pon yuh Nitro
Posted on October 4, 2008 15:21
is full time wi cut this foolish way of judging the rising stars because this text to vote is just for digicel to make and put a scar on the contestants with the true talent. mi nuh have no problem the girl who won but SLR how dem make it this far Kealee or what ever she want to name and a few others who dropped out early were better than this female group by far.
Posted on October 4, 2008 15:26
i think anthony miller should be the only judge just imagine rising star without a judge like miller, show this was boring so th eonly thing that was left to watch and laugh about was anthony miller's judging
yendi, nadine and the next judge need fi guh mass dem face,
Posted on October 4, 2008 16:45
Very nice to see a empress win rising star....ziggie bless aka juncsion.
Posted on October 4, 2008 20:15
I must say I am quite happy that a talented female has won you go girl you did very well. I agree with infuriated and another person who said Yendi need to go... did you hear de foolishness she carry on wid at the aftershow who tell say de performer dem need echo when dem a perform. Clive needs to get some opinions for himself and stop trying to sound intellectual by rhyming if that is his only contribution then we need to find another Judge. Anthony definitely has to stay and Nadine cool. We could do without Yendi and Clive.
Posted on October 4, 2008 23:28
@NITRO B*TTY BWOY U LUV MAN, AND YENDI SELL OFF GI DI GIRL A CHANCE, CAMEAL DAVIS IS A VERY GOOD SINGER SHE IS BETTER THAN LENYA WILKS!
Posted on October 5, 2008 09:13
Congrats Cameal Keep Focused And Heights To New Brights
Posted on October 5, 2008 12:05
My first time commenting but I had to cause I am so happy. Congrats Cameal, I personally voted for you. I loved Khalil too but ...hey...I loved your voice more. Yendi...Yendi...Yendi... Please mi a beg yuh. Please...don't come back next year. I barely watched the thing this year because of you and your annoying giggly self, your asinine comments and your little opinions after the judges. Who died and made you judge? I love Anthony Miller. Love him, love him. I would like to hear what his opinion on Yendi's hosting abilities would be.
Posted on October 6, 2008 12:00
i subscribe to jumptv.com and i caught the last few episodes of the show. I thought both cameal and kahil were wonderful and would have been happy with either one. But as a woman i was routing for cameal.
Congrats girl
Yendi is not quite there as a host but i think she can do better. I think she trys a little too hard at times. I think she would do better if she spoke patio more often. she would come off sounding more like she knows what she is doing.
Posted on October 6, 2008 12:08
uummm....yah. mi wah seh congrats to cameal still, although personally, a khalil mi did a bring. but, a suh it go. i dont really have a problem wid her winning still, cuz shi can hold her notes. but the boys!! damn, the boys! khalil, mi wah seh nuff respeck still, y'all are talented n fine, n i know u guys will go far. love u guys still, no matter what. cameal, big up urself too girl. as for yendi, she can be a bit too giggle-ish at times but i dont have a problem with her either. nuff love
Posted on October 6, 2008 20:51
We have known Cameal for 4 years after visiting your beautiful country having met her at the Resort we were staying at. She is a beautiful person inside and out. Incredibly talented! Thankfully someone posted many of her performances on YouTube.com so we were able to hear/see them. Otherwise we had no way of being a part of this in the U.S. We wish her the best and are so glad that you had this contest to help further the vocal artists of Jamaica. We hope to return in a couple years. We love Jamaica!! P.S. Cameal's last name is "DAVIS" not "DAVIES" :)
Posted on October 8, 2008 12:14
well well girls power ruules!!!, i am very happy for Cameal Davis and i now owe my sister £50 because Miss Davis come out on top, i looove khalil.
Whilst vacationing in Jamaica in September i had the chance to be out and about but chose to stay in, so i could watch Rising Star, it's a great show and well done to the producers for showcasing the many talented singers that jamaica has. Cameal is fit for the World stage and hope she does very well.
Posted on October 25, 2008 13:21
cameal davies you are a star when people see you they of to make a wish. good luck to the world out there bless
Posted on November 14, 2008 11:47
girl your the bomb! you song spotlight better than jenifer. girl your a star and i wish you all the best!
Posted on November 15, 2008 10:14
I am ten years of age I love you you go girl
Posted on November 15, 2008 10:50
I am ten years of age I love you e mail me at stacy_forrester@yahoo.com I have voted for you, I had even cried that night when you won, I can sing but nobody know you are the best singer in world
Posted on December 6, 2008 00:01
The spotlight is so on you.you have shown the men the that grils can sing too you are the best of the best
Posted on December 6, 2008 00:12
Enjoy life!
Posted on December 8, 2008 20:59
Hi gril! You know who I am You are the hotest singer, believe me you are so singer and a star!!!
Posted on December 10, 2008 19:34
Alot of love to you star, you are the bam to the world!!!
Posted on December 10, 2008 19:40
You are the bam to the world!!!
Posted on January 9, 2009 15:58
I am just want to say good better best never let it rest until your good becomes better and your best
Posted on June 4, 2009 21:56
for the stupid a*s who made a comment about cameal being a better singer than lenya wilks,,,dummy your wrong...wen u talk about a girl with substance and depth and power in her voice you talk about lenya wilks thats why shes the one out of alll the rising stars touring like crazy with beres hammond read the paper fool....respect to d girl she hot...and congrats to cameal...
Posted on November 13, 2009 15:16
hi baby