Each Tuesday for three weeks, some of Southwest Orlando’s best amateur singers competed against each other for a place in the finale performance of Southwest Orlando Idol, presented by the Southwest Orlando Bulletin.

By week four, the 30 contestants had been narrowed down to the top 12 (pictured below), who then faced off in the Aug. 23 finale at Cariera’s Cucina Italiana in Dr. Phillips. At the conclusion of the two-hour show, and after a lengthy and difficult deliberation session between the judges, the top five singers were announced, including the inaugural Southwest Orlando Idol.

The winner of this newly created annual competition will be revealed on the cover of the Sept. 15 issue of the Southwest Orlando Bulletin, and all five finalists will be featured in that issue. Subscribers to the Southwest Orlando Bulletin digital edition, which arrives via email 24 hours before the hard copy is delivered, will be the first to view the inaugural Southwest Orlando Idol cover. So, please stay tuned!