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Auditions UPDATE
PLEASE NOTE:
Auditions are now closed!
If you missed out this year we will be holding another Presenter Search again.
If you took part in this year's auditions we will be broadcasting 3 special show dedicated to the auditions on:
Saturday 23rd June at 1pm on SABC3 featuring the auditions in Bloem and Durban
Saturday 30th June at 1pm on SABC3 featuring the auditions in PE and Cape Town
Saturday 7th July at 1pm on SABC3 featuring the auditions in JHB and Polokwane
JHB presenter search auditions
Johannesburg 8 - 11 June
My Top Billing Dream hits Joburg
The Bidvest Wanderers stadium in Johannesburg played host as the venue for the final leg of the My Top Billing presenter search.
Such is the buzz that the competition has stirred, the queues started as early as 10pm on Thursday night, some contestants having slept in their cars and the stadium bathrooms to get ahead in the queue. Hundreds of people lined the street on Friday 8th June to get the chance to audition.
Top Billing presenters Janez Vermeiren, Ursula Chikane, Lorna Maseko and Sinazo Yolwa made up part of the preliminary judges panel, while previous presenter search winner Simba Mhere roamed the crowds taking photos, signing autographs and giving advice.
“Very cold conditions in Joburg didn't scare off those wishing to make their Top Billing dream a reality,” said Janez, “All gave it their best shot but at the end of the day only a lucky few were good enough for the callback phase.”
The Joburg auditions were an eye-opening experience for Ursula: “Seeing all those eager, young (and a few older) faces so badly wanting a slice of the Top Billing dream was amazing. It brought home the reality of the show's impact on viewers throughout the years. I'm overwhelmed by the courage shown by the most nervous candidates and the determination of those who came from as far afield as Botswana, Malawi and Zambia.”
After four days of intense auditions, 75 of the best went through to committee callback which featured Janez, Ursula and Lorna as judges. From here, the group was cut down to 25 for the final judging stage with Top Billing Executive Producer Patience Stevens, presenter Jeannie D as well as comedian and Nedbank ambassador Eugene Khoza.
The Joburg leg of the auditions saw some real talent, with an overall feeling of satisfaction from the judges.
“The presenter search in Johannesburg was beyond amazing,” said Top Billing presenter Lorna, “It's been really heartwarming to hear how Top Billing inspires people to dream. We saw the most people since we started in Bloemfontein, many hopefuls gearing for their Top Billing dream. Good luck to the top 10!”
JHB presenter search auditions
See more photographs from the JHB Auditions
Cape Town presenter search auditions
Cape Town 1 - 3 June
Mother City wows and excites
Perfect weather signalled the first day of auditions for the Cape Town leg of My Top Billing Dream, as hundreds of potential presenters waited patiently outside the Protea Hotel Fire & Ice.
Contestants lined New Church street from as early as 10pm on Thursday night, bringing camper chairs, pillows, duvets and a steady supply of coffee to ready them for the mornings events.
Top Billing presenters Lorna Maseko and Janez Vermeiren formed part of the preliminary judging panel, where they found that talent came in different forms.
“Cape Town has some amazingly talented people and it was such a pleasure to be a part of the process,” said Lorna. “It was really difficult to narrow down the best of the best, because it seemed as though everyone was good and deserved to move through.”
75 hopefuls were chosen for the committee callback, where judges included Janez, Jo-Ann Strauss and Top Billing insert director, Lars Schwinges.
“I had high hopes for Cape Town as it is well established that many actors and creative types call the city home,” said Lars, “The Mother City did not disappoint and we saw many applicants with true potential and star quality. It was a pleasure to see these talented people rise to the challenge.”
Tuesday saw the main Judges Callback round with celebrity judges Patience Stevens, Jeannie D and Eugene Koza each taking a seat on the panel. 25 contestants made it through to this final round, having beat the nerves and stage fright to be given one final chance to prove their presenting skills.
Top 10 finalists will be notified after the 14th June.
Cape Town presenter search auditions
Polokwane presenter search auditions
Polokwane 27 May
Hope, spirit & hospitality in Polokwane
After tough deliberation in Port Elizabeth, the My Top Billing Dream presenter search made it's rounds in Limpopo on the 28th of May.
Top Billing fans lined the walkway to the Protea Hotel Ranch Resort in the early hours of the morning, some having travelled as far as 300km to get the chance to audition.
Insert director Buddy Gaylard was part of the judging panel and was impressed with the spirit of the crowd. “Polokwane was a stunning surprise in terms of style and fashion,” said Buddy, “everyone really came out dressed to impress. They were full of hope, wanting to prove that talent can definitely come from anywhere. The positive energy was refreshing and invigorating. “
21 people made the committee callbacks, where they auditioned in front of the three judges Buddy, cameraman Wimpie Ackerman and Top Billing presenter Lorna Maseko.
“The callbacks are always difficult to judge,” said Lorna. “That's when you get to unearth the true talent and see what people are really made of. We've seen some really great auditions in Polokwane, the locals have been really friendly and they really made us feel at home during our stay.”
With four cities down, only Cape Town and Joburg are left to audition to be the next Top Billing presenter. It could be YOU!
BREAKING NEWS: We are proud to announce that My Top Billing Dream is in association with Nedbank.
Make things happen with Nedbank and My Top Billing Dream!
PE presenter search auditions
Port Elizabeth 24 -25 May
The Windy City blows competition away
The My Top Billing Dream presenter search is in full swing having just finished the Port Elizabeth leg of their nationwide tour. After seeing such amazing auditions in Bloemfontein and Durban, the judges had high expectations for The Windy City and they were not disappointed.
Applicants queued early on Thursday morning outside the Protea Hotel Marine, some having slept overnight in their cars, to get the chance to show the judges what they're made of.
Top Billing presenter and prelim judge, Lorna Maseko was impressed with the atmosphere at the auditions. “PE was so much fun, the contestants were really friendly and we found that they weren't as nervous as in previous audition cities. There was a definite feel of camaraderie between those auditioning and it made for a great few days.”
26 hopefuls made it through to the callback day with judges including Top Billing insert director, Lars Schwinges, presenter Jo-Ann Strauss and local personality and Marketing Director for Umhlobo Wenene radio station, Ayanda Bambiso.
After a whirlwind three days of auditions, Lars remained positive about the final outcome: “The friendly city delivered in terms of great personality and incredible talent,” he said, “but there were also those whose audition was so different that they need to be seen to be believed!”
My Top Billing Dream will be auditioning in Polokwane on 28 May, with callbacks on the 29th. Top contestants will be notified before the Second Phase of My Top Billing Dream
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