Lowveld talents make it big in the USA

After a year of planning and many challenges due to Covid complications, visas were approved, tickets were booked and bags were packed for 11 South African participants to attend the International Talent Showcase (ITS) in Tampa, Florida.

Six of these participants were scouted at the recent Lowvelder’s Got Talent event held in Mbombela by the director of ITS via a live video stream. Candice Paterson, one of the owners of Master Models, said the last year involved much training and planning, but was all worthwhile.

“Year on year the South African team does well, but this year a new benchmark was reached in terms of achievement, contracts and bursaries. “I am extremely proud of each participant. The knowledge and experience gained is priceless in equipping the participants with a life-changing experience.

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“Our participants got the best training and advice in the industry directly from industry specialists like Marc Soper of Carolina Talent Management, The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, Aaron Marcus, Premier Model Management, Corestone Management Canada, Uno Model Management Florida, David Elliot, Susan Wright, and many more.”

Paterson said the participants said they felt like they were in Hollywood.

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The following awards and scholarships were received:

• Jessica Nkosi – Spotlight Award (Lowvelder’s Got Talent model winner)
• Neetclass Mduli – Overall Male Model of the Year, $1 000 (R17 000) scholarship to The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts
• Michelle Olckers – Best Photography Teen, signed by Corestone Management Canada, signed by UNO model management Florida (Lowvelder’s Got Talent top scorer)
• Jana van Rheede van Oudtshoorn – Overall Teen Model of the Year
• Dominique Nel – Overall Teen Actor, $1 000 (R17 000) scholarship to The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts (Lowvelder’s Got Talent dance winner)
• Ntando Mtsweni – Overall Child Model of the Year
• Elmae Ackerman – Overall Female Model of the Year, signed by Corestone Management Canada (Lowvelder’s Got Talent top scorer)
• Lee Ann Kholwane – Best Singer Dancer of the Year, Prestigious Award, $15 000 (R255 000) scholarship to The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts (one year of studies paid), $1 000 (R17 000) summer programme to The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts (Lowvelder’s Got Talent top scorer).

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