Sing! China, a popular Chinese reality television singing competition, is looking for their next star in Richmond.
Previously named The Voice of China, the program launched in 2012 based on the original The Voice of Holland, and has been one of the most popular singing shows in China.
Sing! China is known for its unique format – the singer performs on stage in front of four judges who are facing away from the stage. If the judges like the performance and want the singer to join their team, they press a button and their chair turns around so they can see the performer.
Ye Yuan was one of 45 singers who signed up for the competition in Richmond and did the first round of competition at Aberdeen Centre last weekend. He advanced to the next round along with 20 other singers, who will perform at Aberdeen on Saturday.
“I started watching the competition on TV when it was first launched and it felt so far away from me. I never thought one day I would participate in it – it’s like a dream come true,” said Yuan, who sings as a hobby and receives voice training in his spare time.
“It was my first time singing in front of so many strangers. I was very nervous, but it was a great experience. It doesn't really matter how far I go in the competition – the most important thing is I’ve tried and followed my dream.”
Ten singers will be selected for the next round in Seattle, competing with others from western U.S., and then 20 will be chosen for the North American final in Last Vegas.
The three North American finalists will then go to China to be interviewed by the Sing! China directors.
“They are not even guaranteed to go on the final stage – it's really competitive,” said Yuan.
This year’s Sing! China is set to air in summer and will be available on YouTube.
