Bothasig singer and mom of four Berenike Rae Trytsman, also known as Berry, has secured a spot in the top 16 of Idols South Africa, season 17.
Berry turned 31 this year but was 30 at the time she auditioned, which is the cut-off age to enter for Idols SA.
On Sunday August 15, in a pre-recorded show on DSTV channel 161, Berry blew away the judges with her rendition of Zendaya’s song, Neverland.
She says she was thrilled and overwhelmed when judges announced that she made it to the top 16, something she never thought would happen.
Berry says it has always been a dream for her to perform on a stage in front of people and she cannot wait for the live shows to kick off at the end of this month.
She says she entered Idols SA to set an example to her children, to encourage them to never give up on their dreams and goals.
She is currently in Johannesburg for the competition and says she is missing her family but is grateful to have their support.
“I have met some amazing people, who are very friendly and so respectful. It’s amazing to be working with like-minded people.”
Berry comes from a musical family: both of her parents are opera singers. She started taking singing lessons at 7 and fell in love with the pop, pop-rock, and gospel genres of music.
Berry won third prize for the GrandWest Open Mic competition in 2012 and the Worcester Singing Competition in 2015 and occasionally performs at church.
Her husband, Renier, is a songwriter and producer and has his own studio in a room at their home, where they help upcoming artists produce music.
Together they have produced the Pixel Beautiful Album with a group called Audio Sunrise. The album can be found on most online platforms
The live shows of Idols SA season 17 will be aired on DSTV’s channel 161 on Thursday August 26 and Berry encourages viewers to vote for her.
“I will be working hard for my votes and to prove to others that I can do more than what they have already seen.”
