Veteran local TV and radio personality Shado Twala, multiple platinum-selling singer Lira and award-winning comedian Tats Nkonzo have joined major international stars as judges on the new global talent competition, The World's Best.
In a Facebook post this week, Twala shared the announcement with her followers, writing: "At last, I can now share my mysterious trip to LA. We were part of a talent show, had three SA reps and 47 other awesome humans from the world over. The show is now going to air in the US on 3 Feb. In the coming weeks I will share episodes, as it will not air in our territory…" Hosted by UK actor and popular TV host James Corden, The World's Best is, according to US network channel CBS, a first-ofits-kind global talent competition that features acts from "every genre imaginable, from every corner of the planet", all competing for a $1 million
(R14 million) prize. It will premier immediately after the Super Bowl next Sunday.
The acts not only have to impress the all-star line-up of US judges Drew Barrymore, RuPaul Charles and Faith Hill, but will also need to break through the "wall of the world". The South African stars are part of the "wall", which features 50 of the world's most accomplished experts from every field of entertainment who will also serve as judges.
Only one act will ultimately be crowned The World's Best.
The 10-episode series hails from two of the most prolific unscripted producers in US television, Mike Darnell (American Idol and Ellen's Game of Games) and Mark Burnett (Survivor, The Voice).
"From Nigeria to Japan, from Switzerland to Samoa, our 50 world experts bring a true global presence to our stage," said executive producer Alison Holloway. "Among them are champions, award winners, international TV judges and even superstars in their native lands. They are knowledgable, honest and, at times, outrageous. They bring an entirely fresh perspective to the talent show landscape." –
