STAR POWER: AQUA IDOL KICKS OFF MONDAYS FOR WATERFRONT PLAYHOUSE

Fifteen contestants, with emcee Laurie Thibaud, compete Mondays at 6 p.m. at Aqua Nightclub for the title of 2024 Aqua Idol. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly

Fifteen contestants took the stage on Jan. 15 for the latest round of Aqua Idol, a singing competition to benefit Waterfront Playhouse.

The contest, modeled on the hit TV show “American Idol,” features various performers each week whose performance is judged by the audience and their donations in support of each singer. 

All donations benefit the Waterfront Playhouse at Mallory Square.

The competition lasts eight weeks, and takes place Mondays at 6 p.m. at Aqua Nightclub through March 4, when the 2024 Aqua Idol will be crowned.

Contestants include Claire Caplan, Betty Caraway, Gregory Fisher, Trey Forsythe, Jerry Hughes, Floyd Jenkins, Bahama Bob Leonard, Wilhelmina Lopez-Martin, Jimmy Olson, Jordan Sommer, Jim Speake, Adam Stamper, Joe Tripp, Maria Wallace and Mariah Woessner.

Aqua Idol judges for week 1 of the singing competition were Patrick New, Lynda Frechette and JT Thompson. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly
Jerry Hughes competes in Aqua Idol to benefit Waterfront Playhouse. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly
Joe Tripp performs in week 1 of Aqua Idol. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly
Mina Lopez takes the stage for the 2024 Aqua Idol. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly
Mandy Miles
Mandy Miles drops stuff, breaks things and falls down more than any adult should. An award-winning writer, reporter and columnist, she's been stringing words together in Key West since 1998. "Local news is crucial," she says. "It informs and connects a community. It prompts conversation. It gets people involved, holds people accountable. The Keys Weekly takes its responsibility seriously. Our owners are raising families in Key West & Marathon. Our writers live in the communities we cover - Key West, Marathon & the Upper Keys. We respect our readers. We question our leaders. We believe in the Florida Keys community. And we like to have a good time." Mandy's married to a saintly — and handy — fishing captain, and can't imagine living anywhere else.