By Matthew Sockol
Staff Writer
FREEHOLD – Residents of Ocean Township, Marlboro and Manalapan have been crowned the winners of the 10th Freehold Idol talent competition.
In Freehold Idol, contestants compete in one of three age groups: 10 to 15 years old; 16 to 22 years old; and 23 years old and over. A winner is selected from each age group.
The competition takes place each Wednesday night during the summer in the Monmouth County Hall of Records Plaza in downtown Freehold Borough.
The finals for the 16 to 22 age group and for the 23-and-over age group were held on Aug. 17. The finals for the 10 to 15 age group were held on Aug. 24.
The winner in the 23-and-over age group is Barney Guagliardo, 67, of Manalapan. Guagliardo performed “Mack the Knife” to claim the title in his age group.
Guagliardo, who works as a general contractor for hospitals, said he sings at weddings and graduations and considers Freehold Idol to be a fun thing to do. This summer marked his third appearance as a contestant, having previously advanced to the finals in 2014 and 2015.
The winner in the 16 to 22 age group is Rachelle Legrand, 20, of Marlboro. Legrand performed “I’m Here.” A well known version of the song was performed by Cynthia Erivo.
According to information provided by Freehold Idol organizers, Legrand has performed at the Count Basie Theatre, Red Bank, the Algonquin Arts Theatre, Manasquan, and at showcases in cabarets in New York City.
The winner in the 10 to 15 age group is Reignn Acedera, 11, of Ocean Township. Reignn performed “The Impossible Dream” as her winning song. A well known version of the song was performed by Jennifer Hudson.
Reignn performed at the Apollo Theater in New York City, and won the Apollo Amateur Night’s Children’s Category in 2011. She came in second in New Jersey 101.5’s Big Joe Jersey Talent Show. Reignn has performed the national anthem at several events, including a Lakewood BlueClaws baseball game, according to information provided by Freehold Idol organizers.
During the preliminary phase of Freehold Idol, contestants sing for the judges with the goal of obtaining the highest score in their age group on the night they compete so they may advance to the finals.
The judges of the Freehold Idol competition are Stephen Rubino, Lee Ottman and Jo Wymer.
Reignn and Guagliardo both tied for the highest scores in their age groups on Aug. 3, and Legrand obtained the highest score in her age group on Aug. 10.
In the finals, contestants sing for the judges in a bid to obtain the highest score in their age group and be crowned the winners of Freehold Idol.
Reignn, Legrand and Guagliardo each received a cash prize of $1,000 and $500 in gift certificates from local businesses. They will each receive two hours of recording time, plus pre- and post-production engineering services, at City Lights Recording Studio, Howell.
“Our 10th season has been another outstanding display of talent and we are thankful to our sponsors, particularly iPlay America,” said Jeffrey Friedman, Downtown Freehold’s business advocate.