Sneziey Msomi Overcomes Idols SA Trauma to Earn Crown Gospel Music Awards Nomination

South African gospel singer Snenhlanhla “Sneziey” Msomi is taking an important step forward in her music career after overcoming years of fear associated with singing competitions. The former Idols SA season 15 runner-up has entered an awards competition herself for the first time since participating in the popular singing show in 2019. Her song “Sinomlilo” has earned her a nomination in the Best Traditional Gospel category at the Icebolethu Crown Gospel Music Awards. For Sneziey, the achievement represents more than professional recognition because it also reflects her personal journey towards rebuilding confidence after a difficult experience. The 32-year-old singer from Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal, has spoken openly about how the pressure of Idols SA affected her willingness to enter competitions and put herself forward for awards.

Sneziey became widely known to South African audiences during Idols SA season 15 in 2019, when her performances helped her reach the runner-up position. Although finishing second marked a major achievement in her early career, the experience also left her struggling with the pressure associated with competitive singing. She explained that the emotional impact of the competition made her fearful of entering similar contests after the show ended. “To be honest, there’s nothing I fear like entering a competition. I think participating in Idols SA traumatised me,” she said. Her comments reveal a more personal side of reality television competitions, where the pressure to perform, attract votes and meet public expectations can continue to affect contestants long after their time on screen.

The pressure of competing on Idols SA extended beyond singing in front of judges and audiences. Contestants also depended on public votes, which required them to encourage supporters to participate and help keep them in the competition. Sneziey described this part of the experience as particularly stressful because she could not know for certain whether people who promised to vote had actually done so. She recalled how difficult it was to reach the runner-up position and acknowledged the uncertainty that came with relying on public support. Despite these challenges, she remains grateful to the South Africans who voted for her and views reaching the top three as a significant achievement.

Following her appearance on Idols SA, Sneziey launched her music career in 2020 and continued developing her identity as a gospel artist. However, the fear she associated with competitions affected how she approached music awards. Rather than submitting her work herself, she relied on her record label to enter songs for consideration. She explained that she would sometimes learn about nominations only when people congratulated her, because she had been too afraid to submit entries personally. This meant that even when her music received recognition, she struggled with the process of putting herself forward for consideration.

Her nomination for the Icebolethu Crown Gospel Music Awards therefore carries special significance because she took the initiative to enter the competition herself. The recognition for “Sinomlilo” in the Best Traditional Gospel category marks a change in how she approaches opportunities within the South African gospel music industry. Instead of allowing the fear associated with her previous experience to determine her decisions, she has begun taking steps towards confronting it. Sneziey acknowledged that she still needs to pray for greater confidence as she continues working through the emotional effects of her past experience. Nevertheless, her decision to submit her own entry demonstrates a willingness to move forward, even when the process remains uncomfortable.

Another factor that has made this year’s awards experience easier for Sneziey is the way the nominated category is decided. She expressed relief that the Best Traditional Gospel category is not determined by public voting. This distinction matters because the pressure of asking people to vote was one of the most stressful parts of her Idols SA journey. An awards process that does not depend on public votes allows her to approach the experience without facing the same specific pressure she encountered during the television competition. While entering awards can still require courage and confidence, the different format appears to have helped her take this important step.

Sneziey’s latest achievement also highlights the value of recognising progress beyond conventional measures of success. In the entertainment industry, attention often focuses on trophies, chart positions and major career milestones. However, her experience shows that personal growth can be just as meaningful, particularly when an artist has had to confront fear or self-doubt. By submitting her own work for consideration, she has challenged a barrier that previously prevented her from taking part in awards competitions independently. She said she feels that she has made progress in her healing journey this year and believes she can continue entering awards in the future.

For Sneziey, receiving a nomination is already a reason to celebrate, regardless of whether she ultimately wins the award. She explained that many musicians submit entries, but only a limited number receive final nominations. Being shortlisted therefore provides valuable recognition for the work an artist has invested in their music. Sneziey also noted that nominations can strengthen an artist’s professional profile, making them an important part of a musician’s career development. She described a potential win as an added bonus, showing that she appreciates the achievement without making the final result the only measure of its importance.

Her nomination for “Sinomlilo” places her among the artists recognised in the Best Traditional Gospel category at the Icebolethu Crown Gospel Music Awards. Although the nomination does not guarantee a win, it confirms that her work has received attention within the awards process. For a singer who once felt too afraid to submit her own music, taking part independently is a meaningful change. It also gives her an opportunity to approach future awards with greater confidence and a more positive outlook. Her experience may resonate with other artists who have faced setbacks, difficult professional experiences or fear of rejection while pursuing their ambitions.

Sneziey Msomi’s journey from Idols SA runner-up to Crown Gospel Music Awards nominee reflects both the challenges and rewards of building a career in music. Her experience with the singing competition left her fearful of entering contests, but she has now taken a step towards moving beyond that fear by submitting her own work for consideration. The nomination for “Sinomlilo” is an important professional achievement, while the courage required to enter the awards herself marks a personal milestone. Her willingness to speak openly about the pressure she experienced also brings attention to the emotional challenges that can accompany public competition. Whether or not she wins, Sneziey has already achieved something significant by reclaiming her confidence and opening the door to future opportunities in South African gospel music.