There was a time when stars became famous based on talent—most of the time through word of mouth, or other times leveraging industry “contacts.” No doubt knowing people is still a good way to go if you wish to make your name as an entertainer of some sort. However, the world’s technology has evolved to the point that now even the youngest star wannabes are able to strut their stuff. Yes, dear readers, I’m talking about one of the world’s most known and used websites: YouTube!

The power of the popular video site [ ...continue reading ]]]>

Photo by Kerosene Photography http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevinkerosene/3880628289/in/photostream/

There was a time when stars became famous based on talent—most of the time through word of mouth, or other times leveraging industry “contacts.” No doubt knowing people is still a good way to go if you wish to make your name as an entertainer of some sort. However, the world’s technology has evolved to the point that now even the youngest star wannabes are able to strut their stuff. Yes, dear readers, I’m talking about one of the world’s most known and used websites: YouTube!

The power of the popular video site is endlessly astonishing; it has led many aspiring entertainers to the world of fame and fortune. The first example that comes to mind is…oh, let’s see: Justin Bieber! What’s not to love? His looks? Charm? Adorable voice? Or heart-wrenching lyrics? Yes, he was discovered on YouTube originally by a fellow called Scooter Braun, then shortly after was signed with Usher, or officially a joint venture between Braun and Usher, called Raymond Braun Media Group (RBMG). Many of Bieber’s videos were uploaded to YouTube by his mother, so friends and family could watch her son’s performances. Lo and behold, it was more than friends and family who were awed by Bieber’s voice. His popularity grew, and continues to grow, as he works on albums and makes his mark in the music industry.

Bieber went from being just a boy living in Ontario to one who travels around the world for concerts, meeting fans and thoroughly enjoying his newfound fame and his journey to further success. What was once unimaginable for so many (fame, fortune, success) is now easier for those who know how to shoot a video and upload it to their laptops. In short, YouTube is a gift from the gods for the people who are talented—and lucky—enough to be discovered on it.

Teens are discovering fame left and right on YouTube these days. Justin Bieber is a perfect example. When his family was not unable to attend a singing competition that he performed in, he posted videos for them to watch on YouTube. Not only did Justin’s family watch—millions of teens, including me, did too. We watched the dreams of this Canadian boy from Stratford, Ontario, unfold.

AJ Rafael, another major YouTube guilty pleasure of mine, attended the Berkley College of Music in Massachusetts for a year, ultimately deciding it was not for him. On his YouTube page, where you [ ...continue reading ]]]>

Teens are discovering fame left and right on YouTube these days. Justin Bieber is a perfect example. When his family was not unable to attend a singing competition that he performed in, he posted videos for them to watch on YouTube. Not only did Justin’s family watch—millions of teens, including me, did too. We watched the dreams of this Canadian boy from Stratford, Ontario, unfold.

AJ Rafael, another major YouTube guilty pleasure of mine, attended the Berkley College of Music in Massachusetts for a year, ultimately deciding it was not for him. On his YouTube page, where you can listen and be inspired by his music, he says, “Ever since my father, a great musician and composer, died in 1999, I knew my life was going to be about music.”

Now, this is not just a male thing (even though I am quite attracted to both of these guys) —the girls I have found are amazing too. Cathy Nguyen, 22, from West Covina, Calif., prefers to perform acoustically. She has a lisp, and her background is a combination of Vietnamese, French and Thai. Aside from their own individual YouTube accounts, Cathy, along with Kat Badar, Jenny Suk and Jasmine Rafael (AJ’s sister), form a girl group called Blyss. It’s hard to pick one favorite out of the four of them, but I think Kat Badar has a wide range of talents.

I love listening to  Jennette McCurdy from the Nickelodeon show “iCarly.” Her hit “So Close” is one of those songs you pick up the lyrics to right away. I also like Savannah Outen; she got her start on Radio Disney. This girl has a voice of an angel. When Michael Jackson passed, she did a beautiful cover of “Smile” by Charlie Chaplin.

In the end, I love music in every way, shape or form (except for “Screamo,” which is a genre that consists of pure screaming—I am just not that hard-core). YouTube allows me the opportunity to view many new artists my age, some who have made it big thanks to this massive social network. I love seeing artists progress and watching new ones appear.