JR Bogopa, Thembi Seete join Somizi as Idols SA Season 18 Judges

JR Bogopa and Thembi Seete have joined Somizi Mhlongo on the Idols SA season 18 judges panel.

The two new judges were revealed at the Idols SA press conference and media briefing that took place on Wednesday 16 February 2022 in Johannesburg and was hosted by the show’s host, ProVerb.

JR and Thembi Seete are replacements for Randall Abrahams and Unathi Nkayi who departed the show after their contracts weren’t renewed.

Meanwhile, Somizi Mhlongo is back in full swing after serving a suspension that was handed to him at the beginning of season 17 in order to settle his marital issues with his former spouse, Mohale Motaung.

During the judges’ reveal press conference, judge Somizi was asked a question about his return to Idols SA following the allegations that led to his suspension last season. He responded with;

“Honestly as you may have noticed that I’ve never spoken about anything and I believe my private life is my private life, and my work life is my work life, but also sometimes those two collide.” Somizi stated.

“So I’m still standing, I feel like I can’t say anything at the moment and I don’t want to say anything at the moment regarding that. But what I can tell you is that it was one of the toughest times of my life and my career, but we move forward and like they say, innocent until proven guilty.” Mhlongo further stated.

During the press conference, television and entertainment commentator, Phil Mphela asked Idols SA presenter, ProVerb, whether he will be hanging up the hosting mic soon given the fact that he has been the host for thirteen consecutive seasons. ProVerb responded with;

“My job is to facilitate the process, to direct the program from the beginning of the show to the end, to navigate from when the opening credits starts, right up until we announce a winner, so it has absolutely nothing to do with me. It is like asking, is the guitar no longer going to be part of the show? What it is, it’s an instrument to facilitate the show so that we have a successful show. So my job in all truthfully speaking, is insignificant and it doesn’t matter who does it, I’m just so privileged to be at the helm at the moment.” Proverb stated.

In the next few paragraphs below, we have decided to briefly let you know who each of these judges is.

JR, whose real name is Tabure Thabo Bogopa Junior, is a rapper, record producer, music executive and entrepreneur.

He is famously known for his hit song, “Show Dem (Make The Circle Bigger)” released in 2009 and the JR Feel Good Live Sessions.

Thembi Seete is a singer, actress, voice-over artist, television personality and model famously known as a member of former kwaito group, Boom Shaka.

She is also known for starring in the television series, Zone 14, Rhythm City and Mzansi Magic’s Gomora.

Somizi Mhlongo is an actor, media personality, choreographer and reality TV star, he has been a judge on the show since season 11 in 2015.

Meanwhile Idols SA season 18 kicks off in July 2022, the auditions were closed a few days ago on Saturday 5 February 2022 so please keep logged in for the latest updates about the show.

So what do you think about the new Idols SA judges, JR and Thembi Seete?

Kindly share your opinion with us by dropping it off in the comment section below.

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