Third time’s the charm - Akeen Fennell recalls missing two ‘Rising Stars’ auditions

Akeen Fennell has been creating quite the stir on this season's Digicel Rising Stars, solidifying himself among fans and the judges with his signature beard and popular song choices.

However, things could have gone a whole lot different for the St Mary native who shared with THE WEEKEND STAR that he missed his chance to audition twice.

"I've been dreading Rising Stars for years now. I mean, I've always watched it and enjoyed it, but to actually enter? I never had the guts to do it at all," Fennell explained. After finally deciding to take the leap of faith, he was faced with another hurdle - auditions.

"After I made the decision, I started looking and looking for the auditions, and it just so happened that I missed all two of them that were in my area. I remember I was talking to a friend on the phone, explaining the situation, and as soon as I came off the phone, I went on Instagram and saw the information about the Kingston audition," Fennell said.

So, just two days after finding that information, Fennell sent his wife to church, loaded up his car and headed into Kingston to audition for the show without telling anyone.

"I'm thinking in the back of my head that the worst case scenario was I'd go and not get through. And in that case, then no one had to know! I would keep it to myself and not tell a soul," he said laughing. But all's well that ends well, because shortly after auditioning, Fennell was called and informed that he had been selected. Fast forward to today, he's one of two finalists looking to take home the top prize.

Fennell will go up against Renecia Bernard during the final performance show on Sunday. While he admitted to having some nerves throughout the competition, he's looking to his fans to help him take home gold.

"It's the fans that made me Akeen 'The Dream'; without them I wouldn't be here at all. So I am looking to give them my all come Sunday and just be the version of myself that has kept the fans entertained these last few weeks," he said.