BRAMPTON – After watching others realize their dreams on YTV’s The Next Star, Amer Dhaliwal decided to apply before it was too late.
The 15-year-old Brampton singer/songwriter/musician was approaching the cutoff age to be considered for the talent search television series, and took a leap of faith when he auditioned for judges, reported Toronto’s South Asian Focus newspaper.
And it paid off.
The show, which searches the nation for up-and-coming musical talent ages 15 years old and under, has named Dhaliwal as one of the top 12 contestants that will compete for the top prize which includes having their songs distributed by Sony Music.
Dhaliwal said he’s thrilled to be part of the experience that might help launch his career, as it did for Brampton’s Alyssa Reid who was a finalist in the show’s first season in 2008.
Studying piano since age four, and performing since about age nine, Dhaliwal said he’s had a lot of experience on stage. He also performed in the Rose Theatre’s Centre Stage talent showcase this past April.
“As a performer, I’m really laid back and I really try to connect with the audience,” he said, adding that he’s been cast in local musicals and now attends Mayfield Secondary School for vocals.
Now, he plays piano, guitar, sings and writes his own music— mostly “piano rock and ballads” he said.
The show, revealing Dhaliwal as a top 12 finalist, aired on Monday, July 30. Judges will further eliminate six of the contestants, and those six finalists will work with music producers, vocal coaches, music video directors and others in the industry to present their own hit songs. Viewers will then decide which contender takes the grand prize, in the show’s finale on Sunday, Sept. 23.
The Next Star airs on YTV on Mondays at 7 p.m. For more, visit nextstar.ytv.com.
