Senior Kevin Watkins won first place out of 11 acts in this year’s annual Lip It Up competition.

The show featured students lip synching as famous singers and entertainers of their choice.

Watkins won $100 for his performance as Omarion, replete with dance moves that wowed the crowd. Watkins’ dance moves are well-known to Southfield High. He is also a drum major for the school band.

Second place went to a foursome performing as Lady Marmalade. The ladies were seniors Kristin McKissic, Emily Scarlett, Zsh Zsh Underwood and junior Tonya Green. Their performance in pink hot pants and lacy bustiers won them $75.

Freshman Sharane Black competed as Ciara for her first appearance at “Lip It Up.” Her dancing and singing skills won her third place and $50.

The students dressed, acted, danced, lip-synched, and portrayed their chosen artist as best as they could to woo the judges to give them high scores so that they landed the money.

Senior Justin Hope said that Omarion and his backup dancers deserved to win “because their choreography was excellent and their costumes were together.”

“I think it was better than last year,” said senior Ashley Washington. “A lot of the acts looked like the people they were imitating.”

Other acts showcased included Destiny’s Child by juniors Elonda Harris, Nicole Taylor and Alexis Fulghum. Senior Erika Robinson performed as Ciara with several upbeat dancers.

The student-run show is a benefit for the Fine Arts Department and is produced under the supervision of Drama teacher Brenda Perryman. Tickets were $5 in advance and $7 at the door.

New this year were acts showcasing solo artists Teairra Mari, Amerie, and Chris Brown.

The Black Eyed Peas were portrayed for the first time with a phenomenal performance by seniors Rachel Wiedemann, Terrace Hamilton, Julius Greene and Watkins. They performed “My Humps,” with all the attitude of the actual Peas.

A crowd favorite was The Jackson 5 with seniors Douglas Moore, Brandon Davis, Jeremy Wilson, Joseph Mittchell and Christian Earl. Moore played Michael Jackson with an afro and before plastic surgery. They lip-synched “I’ll Be There,” “I Want You Back” and “Dance Machine” with old school style.