Kenya Shines Brightly as TLC’s Next Great Presenter Top 3 Finalists Are Revealed

The TLC Next Great Presenter, in association with Colgate Optic White, Top 3 finalists have been announced!

After four grueling days of boot camp training sessions, expert coaching and tough challenges, TLC is excited to reveal the Top 3 who have made it through to the public vote.

The Top 3 finalists, as selected by the panel of expert judges including Thando Thabethe, are: Charlie Karumi from Kenya, Carissa Cupido from South Africa and Karen Paida Mukwedeya from Zimbabwe.

 As of Monday, 10 October the public will have the opportunity to choose TLC’s Next Great Presenter by voting for their favourite from the three finalists. The lucky winner will jet off to London and present a brand new four-part series, TLC’s MOST EXTREME, set to premiere on TLC Entertainment (DStv 135) early next year, and receive an all-expenses paid holiday to the Palace of the Lost City, courtesy of Sun International.

 Here are the Top 3:

 Carissa Cupido – Cape Town, South Africa

“I’m excited and terrified all at the same time! What an honour to be representing South Africa on such a dynamic international platform. Boot camp taught me the true meaning of self-belief and I will forever be thankful to TLC for this opportunity.”

 

Charlie Karumi – Nairobi, Kenya

“I still can’t believe that I was chosen – it feels unreal and totally unbelievable! I’ve been dreaming about becoming a TV presenter since primary school. Through this process I have learnt how to thrive on and become more accustomed to pressure – I’m ready for the next phase!”

 

Karen Paida Mukwedeya – Harare, Zimbabwe

“My biggest take out from boot camp is that I need to believe in myself as much as the judges do. I have a deep appreciation for what it means to be a TV presenter and I’m ready to take on the task of becoming TLC’s Next Great Presenter.”

 

Celebrity judge Thando Thabethe says, “We chose the Top 3 based on who best represented TLC and performed best during the boot camp challenges. However, our job is done and the public will now choose the winner, so the Top 3 need to campaign, campaign, campaign! It’s now a popularity contest, so whoever can get the most people to rally behind them will make it through as TLC’s Next Great Presenter.”

 

“Choosing the Top 3 was incredibly difficult, as all the semi-finalists were extremely talented. But after watching the final boot camp challenges, it was clear there were three people who had true Next Great Presenter potential. For me, the Top 3 each represent the different sides of TLC; whether it’s the fun, zany side; the heart-warming documentaries; or the edgy fashion programmes. My advice to Charlie, Karen and Carissa would be to work on their campaigns and do whatever they can to make TLC viewers see what we saw, and vote for them,”  said Lee Hobbs, VP of Brand and Content for Discovery Networks CEEMEA.

 

Voting will open on Monday, 10 October and close on Wednesday, 16 November, where the winner will be crowned live at a glitzy event in Johannesburg.

 

To vote for your favourite finalist, visit the TLC Next Great Presenter website.