Eleven finalists will take to the stage tonight to give it all they’ve got in the final round of the Cook Islands Game Fishing Club Karaoke Idol competition.

The finalists are James Niua, France Apera and Paul Dwayne, Tarita Willis, Ashleigh Wihongi-Willis, Kiana Puna, Annie Clements, Dom John, Bobby Sadaraka, Chelsie Napa and Jason Matakino who are competing for the first prize of $1000.

The competition will kick off tonight at 7:30 at the Fishing Club in Tupapa where 200 people are expected to attend the big night, including club members and supporters of those who have been competing over the past three weeks.

Even organiser Julie Tangimetua-Karika said the winner will be judged based on a range of factors including their vocals, the audience’s reaction to their stage presence and stage personality, and on their artistic performance.

Although the singers have selected the songs they will perform tonight and that everything is organised, she received many text messages yesterday morning from contestants expressing some last-minute thoughts and changes.

“I think the nerves are beginning to set in. It’s all about them getting up there and enjoying themselves! I can’t wait to hear all the finalists and am looking forward to seeing who is going to be the winner!” she said.

The competition has run smoothly over the last few weeks with no bumps and a good response from the participants and those who have been coming along to watch each heat.

In last year’s competition many of the contestants were regular karaoke singers known to get up on stage at many of the karaoke spots around the island.

“Karaoke is something that you like and are good at, or you’re not!” Tangimetua-Karika said.

That is why she was surprised to see so many great, strong voices from singers around the island she had never seen or heard before on any stage, in this year’s competition.

In this year’s competition, 20 per cent of the competitors are regular karaoke singers and the other 80 per cent are a handful of talented singers who were not regular stage goers but possessed the talent to throw themselves into the challenge.

Tangimetua-Karika said all the singers “have big voices and it’s going to be a great night!”