A former Tring Park School pupil has been chosen to compete in the regional finals of a national singing competition.
Amani Hussain, who attended the performing arts school between the ages of eight and 12, will be performing in the Teen Star regional finals in Hayes on Saturday March 16.
Amani, who lives with her family in Chivery near Tring, shone at the first audition in February and flew through to the second round.
Amani was originally set to enter the Open Mic competition last September, but couldn’t because she was unwell. But after some searching on the internet, mum Roxanne discovered they were holding auditions for Teen Star in February and encouraged Amani to enter.
She said:”I’ve always loved singing, dancing and performing, but I still get really nervous. I try to practise a little bit every day at the moment; I just grab my iPod when I can.”
The youngster, 14, will sing popular tune ‘Boyfriend’ by Justin Bieber on the 16th, but with a twist. Amani will be changing some of the lyrics and performing a rap she has written herself. She said: “Hopefully that way people will remember it.”
Amani, who is in her first year of GCSEs at Pipers Corner School in High Wycombe, said: “I’d like to think I’ll get through but even if I don’t, it will have been a really good experience.
“All my friends and family have been really supportive, and quite a few of them will be coming to see me perform.”
Mum Roxanne said: “I’m very proud of Amani. She’s always loved singing from a very young age. I get really nervous for her when she performs, but she loves to do it. It’s really nice to see young people doing what they love to do.”
Amani is already a star on YouTube, where she posts singing videos under the name of ThatAmaniLiaGirl, and has received good feedback on solo and duet videos.
She said: “My friends told me I should do it, and we’ve even done a few duets together. It’s really fun.” To see Amani in action, visit www.youtube.com/user/thatamaniliagirl.