Alotau Group ‘Night Shift’ have been announced as the winner of the Digicel Stars 2 singing competition after receiving over 5, 000 SMS votes from viewers, fans and family around the country.

Night Shift was among four other grand finalists in PNG’s most watched entertainment show- Digicel Stars 2 and secured the top spot after receiving a total of 5,950 on the Grand Final show aired on EMTV last Sunday.

Following behind Nightshift was Andrew Napolean who received 3,542 votes thus making him the first runner-up while young Brian Kepi earned himself the second runner-up spot after recording a total of 2,252 votes. Gideon Singur took out the fourth place with 687 votes. 

Being the winners, Night Shift have scored themselves the top prize of K10, 000 cash and a recording contract and, an iPad for each member of the group to the value of K3, 000. Runners up Andrew Napolean and Brian Kepi will each receive cash valued at K5, 000 and K2,500 respectively along with a Samsung Galaxy smartphone each valued at K2, 000.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Nighshift member- Jeremiah Prout thanked Digicel for giving young people in PNG the opportunity to step out and show case their talents. He said: “Samantha Clark and I are forever grateful to Digicel for this recording contract and the overall exposure that we would not have rather gotten if it had not been for the Digicel Stars competition. Digicel has definitely done an excellent job so far and we are proud to be part of the show throughout this year.

To everyone that had voted for us, thank you all so much as we would not have been here if it were not for all of your votes.”

Digicel Operation’s Director and Digicel Stars 2 Judge-Lorna McPherson said: “We had four very talented Grand Finalists from the competition however we gave PNG the opportunity to choose their star and PNG has spoken. Congratulations to Night Shift for being named as the ‘Digicel Stars 2’ winner and thanks to all contestants who contributed in making this show a success this year. We look forward in discovering more great talents throughout PNG again next year. Until then, we wish PNG all a Merry Christmas and Happy New year.”

Digicel Stars 2 was launched in August this year with auditions in Alotau, Mt.Hagen, Kokopo Lae and Port Moresby. The Competition had a total of 46 contestants from throughout the country who were put into six different heats to compete. Two contestants were being selected from each of the heats, one the ‘Judges Choice’ and the other ‘Viewer’s Choice’ and these contestants then competed in the two elimination shows, before semi final and the Grand Finale.  

ENDS