Matthews wins UDM talent show, $500 prize

UDM’s Ultimate Talent Showcase was an almost three-hour long event that took place in the ballroom on Thursday evening.

Fourteen acts displayed their talents in front of a nearly full house.

“Time of My Life” played in the background while the ballroom buzzed with excitement before the show.

Audience members got to enjoy two small barrels of popcorn and all the free water they could drink while waiting.

Paigion, a host at the number-one hip hop station in the Motor City, Hot 107.5, emceed along with the fashionably late comedian, Horace B Sanders.

During intermission, and while the judges were tallying votes, Sanders entertained with his comedy routine, peppering it was his tag line, “It’s funny to me.” 

Though the show was supposed to begin at 8 p.m., it was 8:30 before Paigion introduced the judges: performing arts Prof. David Regal, student President Alvin Ford and music producer Cordell Walton.

Shammah Carter opened the show with his one-man a cappella act. Carter sang excerpts from “Kiss From a Rose,” “Summertime” and five others while unencumbered by the sound of instruments.

“Anyone who knows me knows I love to sing,” said Carter.

Only three acts included the playing of live instruments.

Dominic Rinna and band mates Andrew and Thomas played “Walking Away” on guitar, bass and saxophone.

Ty Peters, the only other act to feature live guitar, sang his song “Feeling Down” for the crowd.

Isis Gibson performed “I Don’t Want to Be” accompanied by her father on piano. Gibson won fourth place and the $50 prize.  

“This is not just a talent show. It’s a competition,” said Sanders.

The event was open to any sort of talent, from singing and dancing to poetry.

José Robinson recited three of his own poems, touching on subjects from death to his sister.

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. took third place and the $150 prize with its dance routine, a series of choreographed stomps set to music.

One act, singer Elizabeth English, dedicated her performance to God. English sang “How He Love Us” and cited the influence of Christ Jesus in her life.

Super Fly showed a video illustrating the violence that plagues Detroit, before giving a rap performance.

Rokisha Brown challenged the audience to escape from despair when she sang “Dare You to Move.”

A common theme throughout the event was a dedication of songs to women.

Before singing, Garrett Gooch dedicated his performance to Brittany. Gooch placed second in the talent show and won the $300 prize.

Kezia Matthews took first place in the talent show, and collected the whopping $500. Matthews’ performance of Carrie Underwood’s “Good Girl” was dedicated to all the women in the room.

The talent show was the last event that Student Life will host until next school year.