Eighteen-year-old Celine Dorney’s dream came true when she received a callback to go to the International Modelling and Talent Association (IMTA) in Times Square, New York City, in July 2020.
Celine, who is from Primrose, has been practicing singing, modelling and acting so that she can make her mark on South Africa’s talent industry, and the IMTA is the way to go.
The IMTA is a professional organisation of modelling, singing and acting talents, and people get specially selected from across the globe to partake in modelling, acting and singing showcases that are witnessed by over 300 agencies.
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Although Celine will be going for modelling, her biggest passion is singing, and fortunately is also one of the categories she can take part in.
Celine discovered she wanted to be a singer when she was seven years old.
“Life was not easy for me back then, and I could not take it further,” said Celine.
However, last year she decided to change her luck when she was presented with the opportunity to audition.
Modelling was her chosen talent, but still Celine felt she really wanted to sing.
“Let me pray for you, and we will leave it in God’s hands, if it must be it will be,” said Alan, Celine’s father, who gave her the strength and courage to stand up and sing.
“My dad is my inspiration and whenever I sing my dad has to be in the crowd for me to give it my all.”
Shortly after her audition, Celine joined 33 and ME, which is a talent agency that offers international and national casting opportunities, as well as a training academy for a variety of artists, including models, actors, singers and dancers.
Celine attended singing lessons and also acting and modelling classes every Saturday.
During the course of her training, Celine got the opportunity to see the local industry by appearing as an extra in the upcoming Afrikaans movie Meisies wat fluit.
“I have already made so many friends in this industry and they are such inspiring and good friends,” explained Celine, who has been enjoying every moment of the talent industry.
All the training and hard work led Celine to participate in the International Arts Talent Showcase, which was hosted by Silverstar Casino, on September 27 and 28.
Celine participated in both modelling and singing and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Among her inspirations is 33 and ME director Elsubie Verlinden, who inspires all her participants with the following words of wisdom, “You breathe in faith and you breathe out fear.”
Shortly after the showcase, Celine was given a callback to go to New York City, to perform in front of 300 agencies across the world.
“I am so excited,” said Celine.
“It is amazing and we are all humble people who share a talent and we cannot wait to go overseas.”
Celine not only wants to be an artist, but wants her life to make a difference.
“I want my voice to be heard all over the world and I want my music to be gospel,” she said.
Her biggest dream is for her money to go into the development of a Christian-based orphanage.
Included in the same area as the orphanage, Celine also wants to build an animal shelter.
This way the children can grow and learn to love animals, as well as feel the love animals can give them.
“All children deserve to grow up with the chance of a good education, to experience the love of an animal and a chance to also go to church,” explained Celine.
She feels they should have the opportunities she was given growing up.
Celine’s parents, Charmaine and Alan, are 100 per cent behind their daughter following her dreams.
“I am very proud of Celine for she has come a long way, she is also a go-getter and knows what her dream is and is going to achieve her goals,” said Charmaine.
Celine works hard each day at school and in her spare time she babysits so she can save the money needed for her to go to New York.
“This is a lot of hard work, but if it means I am going to be successful in my career then it is worth it,” she said.
The family is working hard to save money for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
If any individual or local company would like to sponsor Celine contact Alan on 082 873 2646 or Celine on 072 767 6874.
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Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, Leigh Hodgson (News Editor) leighh@caxton.co.za or Ashley Kiley (Journalist) ashleyk@caxton.co.za.
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