Holland’s youngest star shines on Johannesburg stage
MONTECASINO - Self-taught child star Amira Willighagen shared her experience of winning Holland's Got Talent and her dreams for the future.
August at the Teatro will treat Johannesburg audiences to the extraordinary talents of 10-year-old Willighagen, when she takes the stage with fellow stars Paul Potts and James Bhemgee.
Willighagen was nine years old when she won Holland’s Got Talent in 2013, after teaching herself to sing from YouTube videos. She is now launched upon a career with a bright future. “I would like to sing many other opera arias,” said Willighagen of her singing aspirations. “Also, I would like to make another CD with beautiful new opera songs.”
It seems likely these dreams and many more will come true. Willighagen has performed with celebrated Dutch violinist André Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra, and her first album reached gold status within two weeks of its release.
Willighagen’s meteoric rise to stardom was closely followed by friends at home. “All of my friends went to my live performances, so they experienced my journey from the first audition till I won,” she said. “My friends like being on camera and they like having a famous friend but they also enjoy my singing and they all have my CD!”
In the wake of her victory, Willighagen enjoyed celebrations with friends and family. “The best was winning the competition and going to Las Vegas with my whole family for a week,” she said. “My parents also gave me and my brother a big party with all our friends to celebrate my winning the competition.”
But Willighagen is not merely basking in the glow of her success. The young star wants to use money she earns from singing for less fortunate children, and to make people happy through her extraordinary singing.
Details: Performances 15 August (8pm), 16 August (8pm) and 17 August (3pm). Tickets from Computicket. Montecasino group dinner and show hospitality
packages: montecasino.reservations@tsogosun.com; 011 3674250.
