A Fish Hoek High School Grade 10 will be jetting off to Los Angeles next year after being selected to attend an international talent showcase, iPop 2020.
Sarah Williams, 17, was selected by the directors of DMH, a talent and scouting agency for iPop after
auditioning at the iPop biannual national auditions at Camps Bay High School.
Her monologue about a mother walking in on her son discovering himself had the judges in stitches and talent scout for DMH, Chantal Bezuidenhout, said Sarah’s performance was incredible.
Ms Bezuidenhout confirmed that she had been selected to attend iPop next year.
iPop promotes emerging talent to leading agents, managers, casting directors, and music industry professionals.
Approaching it’s 16th year, iPop is held in Los Angeles twice a year.
Performers from more than 30 countries attend the five-day event where they work with industry experts, attend celebrity bootcamps, participate in competitions in front of industry professionals, and meet one-on-one with agents and managers.
The event concludes with a final awards-night dinner and gala, in which top performers are recognised for their talent.
Sarah started taking drama and dance classes in high school but says it was never really something she wanted to do.
However, she enjoyed it and when iPop advertised its auditions on Instagram, she decided to give it a go.
She auditioned with models, singers and other actors.
“It was a great fun experience,” she says.
A week later, she was contacted by video chat and was given the good news that she had been selected.
“My mom was with me, and I wanted to scream with excitement, but I didn’t. I just squeezed her hand very tightly.”
According to the itinerary, she will spend a week training and will do an audition on the last day before a final prize-giving.
“It is my goal to get a prize during the final prize-giving,” she says.
Her role model is former iPop contestant and now singer and actress Olivia Holt.
Sarah says her goal is to be offered a job with an agency but she will first finish school and then start her career.
“I would like to try my hand at producing and maybe do some theatre work.” But first things first, she says. She needs to raise R84 000, which excludes her meals and flights, and if her mom wants to go along, an additional
R57 000.
She is planning a variety concert in the new year as well as a raffle to raise the money, and she has also started a BackaBuddy campaign.
Should you wish to make a donation, email Sarah at sarahjowilliams02@gmail.com or visit her Backabuddy page at www.backabuddy.co.za/sarah-williams
