23 October 2013
South African teen performing sensation Kalon Badenhorst captured the attention of two top American music agents at an international talent showcase at Montecasino in Johannesburg on the weekend.
The 16-year-old Badenhorst, who won multiple junior world titles in dance in 2012 and 2013, impressed music producer Tashia Stafford and song-writer/producer and recording artist Nate Butler, who were among the invited guests at one of South Africa’s leading youth performing arts talent showcases.
A Grade 10 learner at Curro Aurora in Randburg, Badenhorst showcased his versatility at the weekend as an all-round performer in the dance, singing and acting categories.
Star Quality status
From over 450 individuals, he was one of three who were awarded SQ (Star Quality) status. He also performed alongside Butler in the International Talent Showcase opening number.
Stafford is the CEO of Icon Studios, which has produced for the likes of Justin Bieber, Akon, Destiny’s Child and Whitney Houston. He has worked with, among others, Luther Vandross, Craig David, Stacie Orrico and The Backstreet Boys and helped launch the successful careers of UK groups SClub7, Blue and Sugababes.
Badenhorst first started dancing in 2007 at the age of nine and reached the final of season one of SA’s Got Talent in 2009. He has expanded his dance style repertoire to include Freestyle, Contemporary, Ballet, Hip Hop, Latin American, Jazz and Adage and has engaged well-known voice and drama coaches to hone his versatility as a “triple-threat” performing artist.
Strictly Come Dancing
He was a guest dancer on SABC 2’s Strictly Come Dancing this year and he recently performed for, and impressed, Hollywood A-list acting coach/film director Michelle Danner during her recent visit to Johannesburg.
Following his success at the 2013 International Talent Showcase, Badenhorst has been invited to showcase his talent at the ARTS Expo in Orlando, Florida in July 2014. The event attracts top agents from across the USA, and will include Stafford and Butler, who said they look forward to working with Badenhorst in the near future.
SAinfo reporter
