The Journey for number 9

La Zona De Combate was a competition run by Smirnoff Experience and MTV Latin America in conjunction with EMI. Bands from all around Latin America excluding Brazil competed in a talent search competition to win a career assisting recording deal with EMI. Alongside the bands was the Fans. Bands and Fans. The fans part was the most important for the Smirnoff eight-soon-to-be-nine, as fans competed to be chosen as the ninth member of the year-long globe trotting original experience searchers.

The finals were held in Mexico City, where ten hopefuls went through a series of challenges, partly conducted by the existing Smirnoff eight, interviews and noted interactions. Every move they made was watched, remembered and increased or depleted their points.

At the final event, held at the famous Bull Dog club, where in years gone by some the world’s greatest rock stars have played and left their mark in the venue, the winner of the competition was announced. Audette from Guadalajara in Mexico. A ball of fun and laughs, party organizer, planner, decorator and socialite extraordinaire.

After the event we celebrated with all the contestants, except for Audette, who was too overwhelmed to get out of her hotel room. The Smirnoff eight-now-nine said our farewells to the rest as their Smirnoff experience journey had to come to an end. The adventure for Audette was about to begin. From her zest, energy and genuine enthusiasm, I knew she would fit in perfectly.

Welcome Audette.

Next station to collect the final member is Brazil.