www.morebacchanal.com – You’ve probably heard her sing it before. Once, it was her weapon of choice when competing. And, on a night where 11 young ladies had to deliver the same song, she showed why Christina Aguilera’s “Reflection” is dangerous coming from her lips.

Keila Gumbs performs @ Star Search 2!

Local singing sensation Keila Gumbs owned the first night of “St. Maarten Star Search 2” Saturday, blowing away 10 other girls with a voice that almost took her all the way a year ago.
With a solid 1,102 points, Keila, 20, easily led the female segment of Star Search 2 on “Reflections” night, edging her one step closer to the title that went to 2007 winner Natisha Hanson.

Her closest competition, Dahlia Richards, was 60 points behind – with a 1042-point finish.
A commanding 1,000 points drove Jennifer Hudson look-a-like Shernel Xavier into third place with the two top singers.

The girls had to make “Reflection” their own in the Challenge (first) Round, but got to pick their own song to recover in the Comeback Round. Twenty-two songs later, the two girls, with the lowest scores, were eliminated.
Expert judges graded the girls on voice and tonal quality, performing talents and articulation, with 200   points at stake in the end of each round, and a grand total of 1,200 points up for grabs.

Ivana Bryan finished with 975 points, followed closely by Shanyra Richardson’s 970 points. Shanyra appeared shaken that she did not clear the top three. Last year, her voice helped win her titles as the Carnival Queen on both French and Dutch St. Maarten.

Tatiana Gibs’ rendition of Whitney Houston/Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” in the second round pulled her in with 922 points. Another Gibs girl, Makieba, got 917 points.

With 864 and 832 points, Mina James and Milinne Delis (Mils)  rounded off the top nine girls. An uninspiring performance by Marie Jude Dazier got her eliminated. Claudette Whyke was also unable to sing into the top spots.

2007 Female SXM Star Search winner Natisha Hanson sings at the 2008 Female First Round!

Next up: It’s the guys’ turn to lay it on the line in the first round of SXM Star Search 2 Males. Also, the under 15-year-olds get a chance to show off their skills in the first round for “Kids”, a new addition in SXM Star Search. The voices burst onto the scene at Celebration Palace on October 22 at 8:00pm.

Check out our SXM Star Search Week One gallery!

Did you enjoy this article? Then SUBSCRIBE for all the latest from MoreBacchanal.com!