Caledon singer a Rising Star

August 2, 2018 · 0 Comments

Written By SCOTT TAYLOR

A 12-year-old Caledon girl will be belting out her best Aug. 18 when she auditions to become the winner of the CNE Rising Star competition.

Sope Duyile is a singer who takes on some of music’s most legendary songs, even at her tender age. Though she usually sings with her choir, she will be opening up a new side of her when she competes. Of course, she has had most of her young life to prepare.

“I’ve been singing since I was around four or five and I’ve just loved it ever since,” she said. “I just recently joined a community choir in 2016 and we have a new performance coming up which I’m looking forward to.”

The music she loves best is rhythm and blues and she’s a fan of some of its most famous artists.

“I really like R&B. I really admire, Whitney Houston, Christine Aguilera, Aretha Franklin and Marvin Gaye.”

It helps that she comes from a musical family. Both of her parents like to sing as well. Hopefully, that tradition will help her when she performs.

“One day I had come back from a performance from my choir and I just kept thinking about how there are so many different kinds of competitions. I went online and I started Googling a bunch of competitions they do and then I came across this one. I talked to my dad about it and he thought it would be a good idea.”

She said she’s both nervous and excited about being judged.

“It’s really nerve-wracking but I’m also really excited.”

Readying herself for the competition consisted of checking out the competition. She’s still not sure how she made it past the initial audition.

“I went on YouTube and I looked at all the auditions and everybody there was really, really good, so I don’t know. Maybe there was something about me.”

Like American Idol, contestants will be told if they advance or not. After that, the crowd thins with each performance.

Contestants aged 6 to 21 are judged on their natural ability, audience appeal, stage presence and the quality of their performance. The Rising Stars will be competing at the CNE from Aug. 17 to Sept. 2.

As one of the longest standing youth talent competitions, Rising Star receives hundreds of video applications from across Ontario but only the top candidates earn the chance to compete in the spotlight during the CNE.

The CNE’s Rising Star Talent Competition is in its 32nd year of showcasing young artists.