IT was glamorous and the glitter was hard to ignore as young Jonah Sithole mesmerised a packed Celebration Centre auditorium with an electrifying performance that was as good as it was inspiring.

The show could rival an international talent search show for razzmatazz. The stage was well designed and mounted with the green colour blending magnificently with the light effects. The live sound was much better than what ZTV later gave us last Sunday.

Gary Thompson, the executive director of A-Academy who doubled as the compere, outdid himself on a night that defined musical talent and reminded all about the South Africa and American Idols that gave Kelly Clarkson fame and fortune.

But there were muffled voices of discontent on Sithole's victory ahead of Eric Moyo and the soulful Pearl Granger.

Admittedly, on the night youthful Sithole stole the show with his boyish good looks and energy. No wonder most of his votes came through the sms. He had 38 350 votes of his total of 59 606 from sms only, most of which he must have got on the final day. But vocally, he was not up there with the best.

Edgar Tangai, who was part of the audience said: "In real terms, Pearl and Eric have more vocal prowess than Jonah. But a combination of such factors as age and confidence on the final day won him (Sithole) the trophy."

Elizabeth Chinake attributed Sithole's win to the fact that "he had his head up" when other contestants were still struggling to settle down.

If examples of programmes such as American Idol are to be taken into account, then the runners-up usually make platinum albums and Granger will surely be an icon.

When Granger performed Prudence Katomeni's Ruva Rangu, she showed beyond doubt that her voice was made of honey. Even in the collaboration of the finalists for the plug track Believe by Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey she stood out, as did Moyo and Mugadza.

At the end of the day, Sithole grossed 59 606 votes against the first runner-up Moyo's 36 008 and second runner-up Tapiwa Mugadza's 13 504.

The two girls -- Granger and Samukheliso Moyo -- trailed with 12 524 and 5 044 respectively.

Jonah received a laptop, $5 million, an I-pod, a NetOne starter pack and one year's airtime as well as a recording contract with A Music.

The runners-up received I-pods, NetOne starter packs and a million dollars each, while the fourth and fifth received NetOne starter packs and a million dollars each.