Bieber fans belt out hits for chance to attend premiere
He's cute. He's a great singer. He delivers a positive message. And by the way, he's really, really cute!
So said fans of pop sensation Justin Bieber just before they belted out one of his songs onstage in an effort to win a trip to the Los Angeles premiere of Bieber's new movie.
“I just love him,” said 14-year-old Fox Lake resident Shelly Uhwat. “I love his music and I love him. He's a big star now, but he actually talks to his fans.”
The singing contest took place Saturday at Lombard's Yorktown Shopping Center. About 40 young fans, all between the ages of 13 and 17, stood up and sang 90-second snippets of one of three Bieber songs — “Baby,” “Never Say Never” or “U Smile.”
Some fans delivered polished, emotional performances onstage. Others took a more laid back approach and just enjoyed singing a song from one of their idols.
“I've never done anything like this before, so I just decided to have fun with it,” said 14-year-old Nina Breihan of Lisle after her performance of “Baby.” Breihan said she has 165 posters of Bieber in her bedroom.
“I think I did OK,” she said. “I wasn't just standing onstage, doing nothing. I know I messed up a little, but it was really fun.”
Ava Heemsoth of Elmhurst brought a trio of backing dancers — all of them students at Sandburg Middle School — to support her performance of “Baby.”
“I'm a little nervous, because I've never sung onstage,” she said. “But I just love Justin Bieber.”
The performances were judged by a panel that included WGN television personality Dean Richards, B96 radio personality Showbiz Shelly and Keenan Cahill, a Downers Grove teen and one of the hottest stars on YouTube, where he posts videos of himself lip-syncing pop hits.
When it was all over, the judges picked Country Club Hills resident Franchika Abey as the winner, guaranteeing her a trip to Bieber's movie premiere on Feb. 9.
“It feels so good!” Franchika said after winning. “I've been singing since I was 3, but this was still a little nerve-racking.”
The performances attracted a crowd of friends, parents and curious shoppers, many of whom clapped and sang along with the contestants.
“I actually like (Bieber's songs),” said Flossmoor resident Maria Pasquinelli, whose 14-year-old daughter, Katie Blakemore, was a contestant. “It's good catchy pop music.”
The Yorktown contest was just one of 20 being held around the country before the opening of Bieber's film, “Never Say Never 3-D,” a “documentary musical” about the young star. All the winners of those contests have a chance to win the grand prize, a meeting with Bieber himself.