Local young talents have impressed Hollywood entertainment leaders who are searching for a star that embodies "Hong Kong's spirit" to join an international pop group, as part of a partnership between XIX Entertainment and the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC).
"The most important thing when I'm selecting someone here in Hong Kong is that they represent the culture," said Nicky Andersen, one of the choreographers of Now United -- the global pop group created by the founder of XIX Entertainment and creator of the American Idol franchise, Simon Fuller.
The team is hosting a talent search in the city to find the next member for Now United, offering local talent the opportunity to shine on the world stage.
"If I can feel that someone has a story to tell, that's the person we need," Andersen, who has performed with stars like Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin, Ne-Yo, Jason Derulo and Shakira, said.
The world-class choreographer also expressed amazement at the exceptional training of Hong Kong talents, highlighting their high skill level that was honed from a young age. "They make me want to work harder," he laughed.
Last week, shortlisted candidates for the diverse group were invited to auditions led by Fuller. They were professionally evaluated on their singing, dancing, stage presence, and star potential.
Andersen and Berkley The Artist -- who has coached Grammy-nominated artists and K-pop stars -- have hosted a two-day intensive masterclass to provide young dreamers with professional training covering singing, dancing, and stage performance.
"During my workshops with the young artists, I also saw a deep level of respect for learning," said Berkley The Artist. "This made me extremely happy, but it also came as a surprise."
He was impressed by how seriously the talents in Hong Kong are mastering their craft, contrasting this with the typical restlessness of younger students in classroom settings.
The acclaimed vocal coach also spoke highly of the professionalism he observed among local talents. "To be so young, there is a strong sense of discipline that appears in their presentation," he said.
When asked about the unique advantages Hong Kong offers for fostering the growth of its music industry, he emphasized that the city's cosmopolitan nature allows artists to experience a variety of cultural expressions in art.
Andersen echoed the views regarding the possibilities and opportunities provided by the city, highlighting the collaboration between HKJC and XIX Entertainment as "an incredible opportunity" for aspiring young artists.
As the final auditions unfold, XIX Entertainment is dedicated to refining the skills of young singers and dancers through the Academy of Pop workshops, which is also part of the HKJC initiative aimed at transforming into a global sports entertainment brand and promote horse racing with millions of Now United fans worldwide through musical performances, social media posts and racecourse entertainment.
Reflecting on his own journey—training in Denmark and traveling the world to master his craft— Andersen praised the collaboration for offering an opportunity to every talent in the city.
"What I find beautiful about what the Hong Kong Jockey Club is doing is that they've provided everyone with a platform right here in Hong Kong," the accomplished dancer said. "In the end, talent isn't being born with, you can learn it too."
(Judy Cui)
