Following auditions in Detroit, Philadelphia, New Orleans and Lagos, Nigeria, BET’s gospel competition show “Sunday Best” has its Top 20 finalists and will begin the stage show portion of the series this Sunday (May 2) at 8 p.m.
Hosted by gospel legend Kirk Franklin, the new season welcomes Pastor Donnie McClurkin and Yolanda Adams to the judging panel, which includes returning gospel siblings Erica and Tina Campbell of Mary Mary.
“This third season, above all those prior, is going to be the most difficult season to judge because of the level of phenomenal talent that we’ve seen and heard,” said judge Donnie McClurkin. “My professional and musical expertise is being utilized to its’ highest degree, and because of the level of talent, I wish that there could be more than one ‘Sunday Best.’”
Stellar Gospel Music Award winner Kim Burrell will share her talent as season three’s contestant mentor.
From a pool of over 15,000 aspiring vocalists, the following Top 20 were selected:
Bethany Devine – Little Rock, AR
Brian Smith – Chicago, IL
Brittney J. Dear – Madison, MS
David E. Wilford – Millsboro, DL
Davon Fleming – Baltimore, MD
Dathan Thigpen – Ridgeland, MS
Durward Davis – Tulsa, OK
Fumni Oduyemi – Lagos, Nigeria
Franklin Davis, IV – New Orleans, LA
Goldwire McLendon – Philadelphia, PA
Jonte Thomas – New Orleans, LA
Lamesha “Mesie” Augustine – Indianapolis, IN
Leandria Johnson – Orlando, FL
Martha Buries – Houston, TX
Orlando Wright – Cincinnati, OH
Quiana Pettigrew – Cleveland, OH
Robert Hatcher – Brooklyn, NY
Tawanna Tarvin – Monroe, LA
Tiffany Carlin-Laird – Baton Rouge, LA
Vernell Payton – New Orleans, LA
