A Christchurch singing trio pushed to semi-stardom when they performed on TV3’s X Factor, still struggle with being noticed in the street. Jonty Ward found out why.
Brothers Wayne, 16, and Peni Sofai, 14, and their cousin Foloti Laufiso, 18, said they enjoyed getting their photos taken with fans but didn’t think it would last this long.
3rd Watch, as they were known as on the show, were glad they entered the competition and still keep in touch with other entrants.
“Our family encouraged us to give it a try, so we did,” Sofai said.
http://www.tv3.co.nz/THE-X-FACTOR-Ep-4-3rd-Watch/tabid/3855/articleID/92076/Default.aspx
The group made it through to the boot camp in Auckland, but didn’t make the top 25 for the judges’ retreat.
TYP
They were shocked when Peni was pulled out of 3rd Watch to create a three-man boy band called The Young Project (TYP), while his brother and Laufiso were sent home.
“It was good at the time, but it was worse getting voted off twice,” said Peni.
Sofai’s stardom carried on after the competition, when TYP stayed together and did an Auckland tour, followed by a tour of Christchurch secondary schools.
https://www.facebook.com/TYPofficial/timeline
The group still sing together, and often upload song covers to Youtube and Facebook where they have received thousands of likes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PPZuy_3zzw
“We all knew how to sing individually, and then at home we just all joined in one day,” Sofai said.
Schooling
The Sofai brothers attend Linwood College, and Laufiso attends Aranui High School.
They said they had great support from their schools throughout the competition and afterwards, when they performed at a fundraising event for an Aranui High School trip to Samoa.
3rd Watch plan to keep performing together as much as they can, and say the fame will die down after a while.
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