VOTE NOW: NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED FOR THIS YEAR’S YOU SPECTACULAR CELEBRATING SA’S BEST LOVED ENTERTAINMENT AND SPORT STARS

Nominations for the annual highlight on the South African celebrity calendar, the YOU Spectacular (which celebrates SA’s best loved entertainment and sport stars) were announced with singing sensation and Idols winner Elvis Blue together with bubbly TV presenter and fashion line owner Jeannie D leading the pack with three nominations each.

Celebrating its seventh year of success, the public can now vote for their favourite stars before the overall winners will be announced at a prestigious awards function taking place on 16 July at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg.

Linda Peterson, Editor of YOU magazine, says that it is exciting to see some new names on this year’s nominations list. “It’s hard to believe that a year ago the public didn’t even know who Elvis Blue was. Here he is in 2011 as one of the top stars, nominated in three categories. It’s going to be interesting to see whether the public will choose new stars over favourites from the last couple of years.”

Featuring on YOU Spectacular’s Sexiest Woman list are last year’s winner in this category Lee-Ann Liebenberg (who was also crowned FHM’s Sexiest Woman in The World in 2005, amongst many other similar titles), leading South African actress Kim Engelbrecht of Isidingo fame, the media queen of all Africa Bonang Matheba (YFM DJ, SABC Live TV presenter, fashion entrepreneur and social media phenomenon), SA’s very own Paris Hilton – socialite and actress Khanyi Mbau, and the always adorable Top Billing presenter Jeannie D, who has walked away with multiple YOU Spectacular awards the last couple of years. Their male counterparts joining them on the Sexiest Man nominees list are 2010 Idols winner Elvis Blue, TV presenter and 2010 winner in this category Janez Vermeiren who is hoping for a repeat win, TV presenter Sizwe Dhlomo best known for his work on MTV as a VJ, Isidingo hottie Sisa Hewana, and rugby phenomenon Morne Steyn.

Elvis Blue is also nominated in two additional categories, including Favourite Music Star and Favourite Newcomer. Prime Circle, the Parlotones (2010 winner), Lira and Liquideep also join him in the former category, while singing duo Crazy White Boy, Top Billing’s Simba Mhere, 7de Laan’s Hildegardt Whites and Isidingo actor Ashish Gangapersad feature on the latter list.

Morning Live co-anchor Leanne Manas is back again this year to defend her 2010 win in the Favourite TV Presenter category. She faces some stiff competition from Survivor SA’s Nico Panagio, as well as from Proverb who won over the hearts of adoring fans with his highly successful presenting gig on Idols. The always popular Top Billing presenter Jeannie D and the multi-talented Pabi Moloi of All Access are also nominated.

Nominated in an impressive third category, the unstoppable Jeannie D might also walk away with the Most Popular Female Celeb award, unless Khanyi Mbau (who even had her very own reality TV show recently) or 5fm’s larger than life personality Andele Mdoda walks away with top honours. However, the award can just as easily go to Isidingo’s Michelle Botes who portrays the ever popular villainous Cherel de Villiers-Haines or Generation’s Sophie Ndaba best known for her role as Queen Moroka on the leading South African Soapie.

Radio personalities seem to reign supreme in the Most Popular Male Celeb category, with Darren “Whackhead” Simpson (94.7 Highveld Stereo), DJ Fresh (5FM) and Gareth Cliff (5FM) all finding themselves on the sought after list. They are joined by award-winning Generations actor Menzi Ngubane and Isidingo star Arno Marais.

Simpson, DJ Fresh and Cliff are also all nominated for Favourite Radio Personality, joined by Redi Direko (Radio 702) and Unathi Nkayi & Glen Lewis (Metro FM).

It seems it will be a Generations vs. Isidingo match off this year in the Favourite Actress and Favourite Actor categories, as Sophie Ndaba and Sonia Sedibe from Generations are joined by their co-stars Zolisa Xaluva and Menzi Ngubane to prove their popularity against Isidingo’s Michelle Botes, Kim Engelbrecht and Robert Whitehead in their respective categories. However, the ladies should not underestimate 7de Laan actress Vinette Ibrahim’s public following, while the gentlemen could easily lose out to Jacques Blignaut (7de Laan) or Sello-Maake Ka Ndube (Scandal). The overall Favourite Soapie contenders this year are 7de Laan (last year’s winner), Isidingo, Generations, Scandal, Rhythm City, Binnelanders Sub Judice and newcomer The Wild.

Making it onto the Favourite Couple nominees list are Connie and Shona Ferguson, Lee-Ann Liebenberg and Nicky van der Walt, Nico and Christi Panagio, Sonia and Leslie Sedibe, and Dianne Lawrenson and Jody Abrahams.

Hoping to walk away with the prestigious title as Favourite Sport Star are professional golfer Charl Schwartzel, cricketers Imran Tahir and Hashim Amla, footballer Siphiwe Tshabalala and rugby player Pat Lambie.

“We’re looking forward to rewarding the best loved celebrities on the 16th of July at Emperors Palace, but rely on the public to determine exactly who is the most deserving,” Peterson concluded.

The public can vote until 12 July 2011 via SMS, Facebook (youmagazinesa), online (www.you.co.za), via MXit or on YOU’s mobisite (m.you.co.za). For more information, get the latest issue of YOU, on sale now, or visit www.you.co.za.

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