Sunglass Hut South Africa has officially concluded its “Own Your Moment” singing contest, a live singing competition hosted at the V&A Waterfront Amphitheatre, celebrating confidence, creativity, and emerging local talent. After weeks of powerful performances and strong public support, Dwayne Emeraan Michaels was crowned the overall winner of the 2025 competition.
The competition attracted close to 200 entries, highlighting the depth of vocal talent across Cape Town. From these entries, a Top 12 was selected and divided into three groups of four finalists, who competed across three live shows in front of enthusiastic audiences. Performances were judged by Vicky Sampson and Karin Kortje, alongside rotating celebrity guest judges Acoustic Element, Marc Lottering, YoungstaCPT, and Shekhinah, with Devon Saunders hosting the series and guiding audiences through each high-energy show.
Across the three live rounds, Dwayne Emeraan Michaels, Timothy Herman, and Raeesah Isaacs were crowned weekly winners, progressing to the final stage of the competition and delivering a memorable finale.
Each week’s winning artist was further celebrated through an in-studio appearance on Expresso Morning Show, where they were interviewed and performed live. This national broadcast exposure extended the reach of the competition beyond the V&A Waterfront, offering emerging performers the opportunity to share their stories and talent with audiences across South Africa.
The final performance saw Michaels stand out for their vocal ability, stage presence, and authenticity, ultimately earning the top spot. As part of their win, Michaels will receive the opportunity to perform as part of the V&A Waterfront New Year’s Eve celebrations, sharing a stage with acclaimed South African artists Zoë Modiga and Good Luck.
Winning the ‘Own Your Moment’ Talent Show has been an unforgettable experience,” says Michaels. “Performing on this stage, in front of such an incredible audience and judges, gave me the confidence to truly believe in my voice and my journey. I’m so grateful to Sunglass Hut for creating a platform that celebrates emerging artists and gives us the opportunity to be seen and heard.”
“The ‘Own Your Moment’ Talent Show was created to celebrate individuality and give rising performers a platform to be seen and heard,” says Earl Kopeledi, Head of Marketing for Sunglass Hut South Africa. “We were blown away by the calibre of talent throughout the series and the incredible energy from the audience. Michaels truly embodied the spirit of owning your moment, and we’re excited to see what lies ahead for him.”
Blending music, fashion, and culture, the “Own Your Moment” singing contest delivered a high-energy summer experience that celebrated confidence and self-expression, firmly positioning Sunglass Hut as a brand committed to supporting local creative talent.
