The sky is the limit

The 20-year-old will be competing at Arts (Applause Rising Talent Showcase) in June, in the hopes of being scouted by the United States biggest talent agents.

Phiri started singing when she was 13 years old, and decided to pursue it further when she matriculated from Benoni High School, in 2012.

Phiri started singing in primary school because a friend owned a guitar which she thought was beautiful and she decided to start singing.

“I chose singing because I’m passionate about it, and I can sing very well.”

She also models, but prefers singing.

“I enjoy singing more, because I connect with it more than I do with modelling.”

She enjoys singing R&B, jazz and pop, anything that she can relate to.

It hasn’t been easy road for Phiri, who auditioned in October last year for Kim Myers, the organiser of the Arts event, which was held at Monte Casino, where she secured her spot to audition in Orlando.

She describes her audition as nerve-racking, as she had to wait the whole day for her turn to impress the judges.

She stole the judges hearts with her rendition of Jennifer Hudson’s sensational song “Spotlight”.

“There were almost 300 people who went to audition at Monte Casino, and I only managed to sing at night,” said Phiri.

“I got up on stage and sang my Jennifer Hudson song and I got a call a week later.”

She smiled and blushed, as she recalled the day she received the call that she had been chosen.

“They called and said ‘you said you wanted to go to Orlando right?’ I said yes, with excitement”.

Phiri hopes to return to South Africa with something that will change her career, and even if she doesn’t make it she believes she will gain a lot of experience.

“I dream of getting signed to a record label and modelling agency, as big companies such as VH1, Atlantic records and Disney will be there.”

“Even if I don’t win I hope to gain confidence about my singing and modelling, as this is a once in a lifetime opportunity not everyone gets call backs, I feel blessed,” said Phiri.

Throughout the year she has been preparing for her trip.

“We attended a boot camp in Pretoria in February and January, which was a tough preparation,” she said.

The competition will take place from June 25 till 29 and she will return in July.

“If I am chosen I still have to prove my abilities with a chosen agent and then they will decide if I get a contract,” she said.

Her advice to young, aspiring singers is to always have a tough skin and learn to pick through advice.

“Don’t depend on anyone, you have to work hard, be passionate and put in the work,” she said.