Homai Te Pakipaki

LOVING IT: Manurewa's Phoebe Ngawaka, 18, says Homai Te Pakipaki is a 'cool experience' and she can't wait to do it again.

KEEP TRYING: Wati Brown finally got through on his fourth audition and and sang songs by Dave Dobbyn and Herbs in the heats.

TRIPLE TROUBLE: Susan Tipuna from Wairoa has sung professionally in New Zealand and abroad, but never on television - until now. She has three children and sang an Alannah Myles song in the heats.

OLDER THAN HIS YEARS: When Roland Williams sings, he sounds much older than his years. The 18-year-old is here from Fiji on a rugby scholarship, and sang You To Me Are Everything by Real Thing in the semi-final.

ROUGH START: Alice Mitai's first audition didn't go so well - she was on crutches and couldn't hold the mic. After some practise she returned, singing 9 to 5 by Dolly Parton in the heats. ALICE MITAI

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: At 22, David Wall has already been in three bands, and is currently fronting his fourth. He is a big Stevie Wonder fan.

BIG LUNGS: Dane Moeke is a big fan of power ballads, singing songs by Whitney Houston and Celine Dion in the heats.

PREGNANT PAUSE: Ginnaye Morgan-Tahapehi is pregnant with her third child, and has sung songs by Hollie Smith and Solomon Burke.

R&B FAN: Nathan Papuni is a 21-year-old Waitara resident who moved up to Auckland this year. He has sung songs by R Kelly and John Legend.

MIC IN HIS HANDS: Ngati-Tahinga Wilson is a 26-year-old mental health support worker and has sung songs by Marvin Gaye and Luther Vandross.