One of Canada’s most prominent amateur talent competitions returns for another season, and this time, the stakes are even higher.
Canada’s Got Talent broadcast on TV channel Citytv has increased its top prize to $1 million, and one of its celebrity judges says it will be life-changing for the lucky winner.
Famous Toronto YouTuber, comedian, actress and writer Lilly Singh says the million-dollar season puts a lot of pressure not only on the contestants, but also on the judges who will analyze more than a hundred performances of dancing, singing, comedy and other novelties.
The enhanced prize from Citytv’s parent company, Rogers, is believed to be the largest prize money in Canadian television history.
The third season of Canada’s Got Talentwhich begins Tuesday, will also award $25,000 each to six artists who will be selected by triggering the Golden Buzzer, where artists are deemed good enough to advance directly to the semifinals.
The top prize is now much higher than the $150,000 awarded at the end of season 2 to a Quebec dance troupe.
“It’s a life-changing amount of money,” Ms.me Singh in an interview last fall, as she and the other judges — Howie Mandel, Trish Stratus and Kardinal Offishall — prepared to film audition episodes in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
“Someone’s life trajectory could change and so the stakes are very high on both sides,” she said.
PHOTO VALERIE MACON, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE ARCHIVES
Lily Singh
This season’s participants come from across the country. They will try to dazzle the judges with their voices, dance moves and magic tricks, among other talents.
Aside from the 1 million grand prize, another thing that will be different this season is the use of Bollywood music.
Lilly Singh explained that this was one of the reasons why it was difficult to get South Asian artists on stage in previous seasons of Canada’s Got Talent.
So she used her contacts with a major Indian record label to resolve a copyright issue that surfaced in preparation for the show’s new season, paving the way for a global deal to ensure that Bollywood music can be used on Canada’s Got Talent.
“Which is important, because naturally if you can’t use the music that’s part of your culture, you’re at a disadvantage,” Ms.me Singh.
“Anyone who has followed me knows that representation means a lot to me. »
The first episode of the new season, hosted by Lindsay Ell, will air Tuesday night on Citytv and will also be shown on Citytv Plus. The competition will conclude in the two-hour grand final on May 14.