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These are just a sample of success stories from the Best New Talent Awards Showcase. We have past talent contestants shooting feature films, recording CD’s, and starring in their own TV shows! Be sure to check back regularly for new postings and interviews with them. We strive to maintain a current list of success stories from the Best New Talent Awards, however it is difficult to stay in contact with all of our former talent showcase contestants. If you know someone or you yourself are a Best New Talent alumni who has had auditions or casting calls as a result of our talent showcase, please let us know. We would love to feature you in our Best New Talent Success Stories.

Brad Kish- Best New Talent Success Story

If performing is your passion and you're looking for a "jump start" in your career, participating in the Best New Talent Awards can be life changing! Just months after competing in BNT's annual showcase, Brad was packed and moving to Los Angeles with several interested agents and managers waiting to sign him upon arrival. Just 2 weeks after settling into his new home, Brad booked the lead role in the first pilot he ever auditioned for, HBO's "High School". He was also called in to read for the lead role, "Troy" in Disney's High School Musical! With small appearances on Disney's "Hannah Montana", and several commercials under his belt he is well on his way to making his mark on the small screen. Although Brad's been extremely blessed in the acting arena, his true passion is his music. That career has just begun to take off as well! Most recently however, all you Best New Talent alumni have seen Brad hosting the Best New Talent Awards for the past two years!
"Best New Talent has been such a blessing in my life! It's one of the few talent competitions out there with integrity. They genuinely want the best for you, and want you to succeed! Thank you for giving me the opportunity and the tools to help make my dreams come true!" --Brad

Mrs. Texas Megan Zucaro- Best New Talent Success Story

“I received 4 call backs and plan to move to LA in 2008 to pursue my television career, Best New Talent brought great agents for everyone to meet with! Thank You", MEGAN ZUCARO CLICK ON MEET MEGAN

Spencer Redford- Best New Talent Success Story

Spencer competed and won at Best New Talent in 2000. With the representation she received at the Showcase, she has booked many exciting roles. Spencer can be seen in several movies and tv shows including but not limited to "Even Stevens", "The Young and the Restless", "That's So Raven", "Joan of Arcadia", Pixel Perfect, "Arrested Development", and Shanghai Kiss are just a few of the many projects.

Elizabeth Yozamp- Best New Talent Success Story

"Elizabeth Yozamp won 1st place Comedic Acting, 1st place Commercial, and 2nd place Dramatic Acting. Elizabeth was on auditions the day after the Showcase, and has been going strong since. She signed with a great Agency and Management team. She has booked (4) National Commercials, (1) National Radio, (1) Print, (1) Industrial and is presently filming "Step Brothers" with Will Ferrel and John C. Reilly. She Plays "Tiffany", eight on the credits. Thanks and Take Care"
-John (Elizabeth's Dad)

Adrianne Burfield- Best New Talent Success Story

"Adrianne started climbing her ladder to success by competing in the Miss USA pageant system. After being scouted by one of Best New Talent's representatives, she attended the Showcase and was immediately signed with agents and a manager. She is currently working on a Disney Movie!"

Adrianne Leon - Best New Talent Success Story

Adrianne Leon, who was born on March 15, 1986 in San Diego, California, is an Emmy Award nominated actress who is best known for playing Brook Lynn Ashton on the soap opera General Hospital. She was nominated for a Soap Opera Digest Outstanding Female Newcomer Award and a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Younger Actress in 2005 for this role. In 2006, she played the role of Colleen Carlton on The Young and the Restless. Leon is also a talented musician, as she has performed two songs for the documentary Hollywood's Magical Island: Catalina. She also performed three songs for the DVD of Snow White.
Adrianne's Official website Adrianne on IMDB Adrianne on MySpace

Chris Dane - Best New Talent Success Story

Chris and his family were living in Austin, TX when a casting team for the Best New Talent Awards came to town. He auditioned, and was selected to compete in four categories including singing, acting and instrumentalist. Since Chris has featured as a singer on the soundtracks of, Bruce Almighty, Daredevil, Jungle Book 2, Santa Clause 2 and most recently, Under The Tuscan Sun. Congrats Chris on your success on NBC's America's Most Talented Kid! Most recently he has completed an engagement as one of “The Twelve Irish Tenors” touring in Reno, Nevada, Branson, Missouri and London, UK.
Read a letter from Chris!
Chris' Official website Chris on MySpace

Alli Mauzey - Best New Talent Success Story

After graduating from New York University Alli struggled with getting signed by and agent. After doing Best New Talent she signed with Schiowitz/Clay/Rose, Inc and has had a great career on Broadway! Alli performed with the cast on the 2003 Tony Award Show on CBS. Broadway: Hairspray (Brenda). Tour: Hairspray (Brenda, 1st national). Regional: City of Angels (Mallory, Reprise!), The Musical of Musicals: The Musical! (June, Laguna Playhouse, West Coast premiere), 110 in the Shade (Snookie, Pasadena Playhouse). Her voice can be heard on Toon Disney in the animated series "A.T.O.M." (Lioness and Firekat). Graduate of NYU (BFA). Much love and thanks to Dad, Mom, Aimee, Andrew, friends, family and voice teacher Edward Sayegh!

Ariel Gade- Best New Talent Success Story

Ariel Gade began her career at the age of four. She attended Best New Talent, and shortly thereafter starred as Ben Stiller's daughter in the film "Envy." After getting a taste of being in front of the camera, she wanted more and told her parents her dream was to be an actress -- but just in case she didn't make it, she was willing to be a trainer for Shamu the killer whale. Ariel then went on to work with Melissa Gilbert as Gilbert's daughter in the television pilot "Then Came Jones." She also starred opposite Jennifer Connelly in the feature film "Dark Water."

Kirstin Dorn- Best New Talent Success Story

"Thank you so much, Best New Talent, for your competition! My daughter, Kirstin, won 1st place in the Modeling Print competion and 3rd in Comedic Acting. She also received 6 callbacks from top agents and managers wanting to sign her! We decided to sign with The Savage Agency, and are actually in LA right now for Pilot Season! Thanks to you, dreams do come true!"
-Kristi (Kirstin's mom)

Nicki Prian- Best New Talent Success Story

Nicki was the winner of Best Latin Performance and Best Child Singer. Since competing in the Showcase, she has been casted in several films and made several TV apperances. Her resume includes a starring role in "Danika" alongside Actress Marissa Tormei and directed by Ariel Vromen and a guest appearance on "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody" on the Disney Channel. Nicki on IMDB

Carlos Pena- Best New Talent Success Story

"After winning at Best New Talent I spent 4 months in L.A. during pilot season and got so close to so many things. I did get a recurring role on the Nickelodeon show Ned's D'Classified School Survival Guide and I have also since done guest starring roles on ER, Summerland and Judging Amy. I was up for a pilot and got to meet the producers, one of whom was Steve Martin! I also got to have dinner with Andy Dick and met Kelly Clarkson from American Idol."
-Carlos Pena

Summer Bishil- Best New Talent Success Story

Within nine months, after attending Best New Talent, she was signed on by a manager and agency. As a filmography, Summer has appeared on Days of Our Lives, Just for Kicks, Drake & Josh, Hannah Montana, Return to Halloweeentown, and has just finished shooting the movie Crossing Over. She is definitely “one to watch”. It is expected that Bishil will be nominated for best actress awards in 2008, either for her first shocking movie or “Crossing Over” which stars Harrison Ford, Ashley Judd, and Sean Penn. In this new movie she plays the lead role of Taslima Jahangir.

"I have signed with CED Talent Agency and with GEM Entertainment. I've begun to go on auditions for films and TV shows and pilots. Thank you for the great experience."
Summer on IMDB Summer on Wikipedia

Sorrelle McGill- Best New Talent Success Story

Sorrelle has had amazing success since her experience with Best New Talent. She has booked work as a dancer on a Hip-Hop Documentary with Wade Robson and a performance of The Nutcracker, a model for a TJ Maxx runway show on television, commercials and theatrical performances, print work for companies such as Ford Motor Company, Sylvan Learning Center and American Online, and MUCH MORE! Way to go Sorrelle! We are SO proud of you!

"Sorrelle is now being represented by the Morgan Agency for commercial and print modeling. We are very excited to be here in L.A. now during pilot season and going on auditions. Without Best New Talent we wouldn't have these opportunities and representation. Thank you."
-Karen McGill (Sorrelle's mom)

Kristin Brye – Best New Talent Success Story

"Before Best New Talent I was doing Community and High School Theater. In fact, I had to miss a rehearsal for our schools production of Oklahoma, in order to attend BNT. BNT got me out of Madison and into Los Angeles auditioning. It got me a wonderful manager and agent! Because of Best New Talent I am moving permanently to Los Angeles to continue following my dream."
Kristin has had a lovely career as an actress performing on television and in movies. You can see her on "8 Simple Rules...For Dating My Teenage Daughter", "Without A Trace", "The Unit" and the film "Believe in Me" released in 2006.
Kristin on IMDB

Eddie Wiernik - Best New Talent Success Story

As a result of Best New Talent, Eddie Wiernik whom placed 3rd in both male singer and instrumentals has been signed by Stiletto Management in L.A. and has just completed a demo CD at Capital Records, under the direction of producer Gary Field. Eddie was referred to Stiletto Management by Susan Slamer, a judge for Best New Talent and American Idol Music Supervisor. Eddie has had an exciting career already! Eddie on MySpace

Johnathan McFadden- Best New Talent Success Story

"I came to Best New Talent expecting to meet a few people in the business (agents, casting directors, other actors). After winning the top award, 'Best Overall Talent' I signed with agent Josh Schiowitz (SCA&R) and Lorrie Herman from the Cubertson Group and now I am living in L.A. with the finest representation and a growing career. I'm living the dream and I have Best New Talent to thank."

Kendra Ransom- Best New Talent Success Story

"As a result of participating with the 2003 Best New Talent showcase Kendra signed with Agent Jerry Pace of Zanuck, Passon and Pace. Since then she has auditioned for several commercials and just filmed her first for Office Depot's "Set for School" Campaign. Many thanks to you for providing such a wonderful opportunity for new talent to get a start in the business."
-Linda Ransom (Kendra's mom)

Megan Waltman- Best New Talent Success Story

"Thank you, thank you, thank you. The moment Megan won was truly the most amazing moment of either of our lives!!! The camaraderie and support from the other parents sitting around me was so moving. I get goose bumps and my eyes well with tears every time I relive that moment. We are so fortunate to keep having even "greater" moments occurr, but that room and the people and the stage and, of course, seeing my daughter do her thing will live with me forever! The contacts we made were invaluable and she has now been selected to perform on "America's Most Talented Kids" TV show."
-Colleen Waltman (Megan's mom)

Natalie Watts- Best New Talent Success Story

Robert A. Uncles- Best New Talent Success Story

"When I moved to the U.S. from Germany I saw all the great talent and competition. I needed to get my foot in the door somehow, that's when I came across Best New Talent. They were touring in Texas where I attended an open casting call. I danced all the way to Finals in L.A. where I met my two agents, Brianna Barcus (Dance) and J.C. Gutierrez (Commercial). In May I will be moving to L.A. where I will start living my dream. Thanks again Best New Talent for all your help. Hope to see you around."

Lisa Tucker- Best New Talent Success Story

"Through Best New Talent I have secured an amazing agent, Jackie Lewis, from Acme Talent and Literary and an excellent management team, GEM Entertainment. In the past year I have had the most exciting time. I have auditioned in front of top industry casting directors for new series and movie roles and did a commercial for Nickelodeon. That is a big change for a small town mid-western girl! Thanks again BNT!"

Drew Mikuska - Best New Talent Success Story

He was an 8 year old from Illinois. After BNT 2002 he signed with Mitchell Gosset from Cunningham-Escott-Dipene Agency and booked a lead role in the feature film "Scary Movie 3", then was cast again later in "Scary Movie 4"! You can also see Drew in the movies "Spelling Bee" and "The Trouble With Dee Dee".

Ellary Porterfield - Best New Talent Success Story

Ellary has had a great career since competing at Best New Talent. Her resume includes television credits on "Hidden Palms", "Stuck In The Middle With You", and Film credits in "The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio" and completed in 2008 "Sugar", and Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck Film.
"Just wanted to let you know that Ellary is currently filming in Toronto. She was cast as "Tuff," a starring role in the Dreamworks picture, "Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio." Juliann Moore and Woody Harrelson play her parents. Pretty cool! The movie is set for release early 2006. I'll keep you posted."
-Traci Porterfield (Ellary's mom) Ellary on IMDB

Danielle Czencz - Best New Talent Success Story

Before Best New Talent I had no idea how to start working as a model. Thanks to Best New Talent I signed with Next Model Management and Judy Savage. I have booked Shape Magazine the July or August issue, Ucle Jewelry and The Art Institute.

Alex Headly – Best New Talent Success Story

Thanks to Best New Talent Alex signed with manger TJ Stein and two agents Gold Leidtke and Abrams Artists. Alex can be seen as a principle in "Summer In The-N" on Nickelodeon and as a Co - Host of GTV NFL Interview Show on FOX. Alex just finished shooting a National Nintendo commercial! Congratulations Alex!

Birgit Dalgaard – Best New Talent Success Story

“Best New Talent really helped me in my pursuit to be an actress in LA. Before Best New Talent I had been planning to come to LA for a month to get a manager and an agent. BNT got that for me and gave me a chance to come back for pilot season. I am now in Los Angeles auditioning for pilots, sitcoms and commercials. Best New Talent got me where I wanted to be and now I have the chance to live my dream."

Zach Thorne - Best New Talent Success Story

Thanks to Best New Talent, I signed with Cunningham-Escott-Dipene, booked a co-star role on American Dreams and booked a lead role in a Nickelodeon Pilot "Rhodes Home". Thank you Best New Talent!