Songbird Emma proves she has star quality

AN EIGHT-year old singing sensation from Newtownabbey has been crowned a winner in the '2010 Citybeat Young Star Search' talent competition.

Emma Lowry from Ravelston Way in Carnmoney was named winner of the Junior Young Star category on Saturday afternoon in the Grand Final of Northern Ireland's biggest talent search for young people.

Belfast’s Castlecourt Shopping Centre was packed to the rafters for the occasion, with adoring friends, family and fans all rooting for their favourite act and bearing huge banners, personalised balloons and homemade t-shirts.

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The atmosphere was electric as the sea of faces chanted the name of their would-be-winner in response to compere Stuart Robinson’s now traditional question ‘Who’s it gonna be?’

After a week-long series of nail-biting elimination rounds it was an achievement in itself for the 30 grand finalists to have made it to the last leg of the competition.

Hundreds of hopefuls took the first step on their Young Star Search journey almost six months ago and on Saturday the crme de la crme stood before the public and the panel to be judged for the last time.

With the crowd packed tight against the stage, shoulder-to-shoulder along the mall and looking down from the first floor, the pressure was really on to produce a perfect performance.

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Keeping with tradition, the ‘babies’ of the bunch - aged eight to 12 - kicked off proceedings and brought the house down while they were at it.

First up Lauren Rhonda Coleman from Belfast produced a polished performance of ‘Mama Do’ by Pixie Lott while Newry’s Gavin Gribben brought the crowd to a hush with a note perfect version of ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’ from the Wizard of Oz. Newtownabbey girl Carla Morelli also gave a superb performance, singing the huge Journey track ‘Don't Stop Believin’, as did Newry’s Shauna Lillywhite with ‘Good Morning Baltimore' from the musical Hairspray.

But the knock-out performance - of Beyonce’s ‘Ave Maria’ - came from one very special little lady.

Emma Lowry who suffers from autism, previously wowed the judges and the audience back in June at Glengormley Park's Uptown Hoedown event.

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With her bubbly personality, boundless enthusiasm and outstanding vocals she won the public’s vote and everyone’s heart with her singing.

The camaraderie was clear as the contestants held hands in anticipation for the judges’ verdict and when Emma’s name was called, Castlecourt went wild.

Emma threw her hands up in the air as confetti rained down on the petite Junior Young Star winner.

Emma said: “I want to thank everyone for coming today and being my fans.

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“I am very proud of all the other singers too because they were great and I can’t wait to record my single.”

Judge and record producer Micky Modelle said: “The talent this year is just out of this world.

“Young Star Search gets bigger and better every year and it just goes to show what an amazing wealth of talent there is in Northern Ireland.”

Saoirse Hallam from Belfast was crowned in the Young Adult category for her wonderful rendition of Alexandra Burke’s ‘Hallelujah’, and Belfast’s Jessica Hammond’s own unique take on Lady GaGa’s ‘Speechless’ made her a worthy winner of the coveted Senior Young Star title.

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The competition may be over for another year, but for the lucky winners, the work is just beginning.

The three stars will now showcase their talent this Saturday at the Shoreline Festival at Jordanstown’s Loughshore Park.

And in the meantime they will be busy planning their prizewinner trips with Easyjet, spending their shopping vouchers and practising for the recording of their very own singles. Yes, you’re right, it’s a hard life being a popstar!