A WIRRAL teenager is hoping to make her mark on the music industry as she fights for her place in the final round of an internet talent competition.

Bronnie Hughes, from Caldy, has been hand-picked by American Idol presenter Ryan Seacrest to take part in the latest round of his Covers Competition, which will see her battle it out on YouTube for international exposure.

The 17-year-old Hilbre High School student said the E! News and host of the pan-American radio show OnAir with Ryan Seacrest had tasked his team to scour the internet for artists from around the world singing cover songs, eventually selected who they considered to be the best.

“I received an email from Ryan Seacrest’s team a couple of weeks ago informing me that I had been selected for the contest,” explained Bronnie.

“Although I’ve been singing since I was eight, I only started doing covers earlier this year so I was really surprised to receive the email but obviously very flattered.”

The first round of the competition saw Bronnie and 12 other hopefuls put their mark on 5 Seconds of Summer’s hit Amnesia.

Now, the teenager is one of eight successful contestants through to round two.

Voting takes place online at RyanSeacrest.com and fans can vote every 12 hours.

Bronnie, who takes inspiration from McBusted’s James Bourne and Avril Lavigne, said: “So many people on the Wirral have sent me good luck messages and have said they will vote for me, I’m so grateful – people on the Wirral are so kind.

“I will need all the support I can get as some of the acts have an enormous fan base, so for the people voting for me I can’t thank you enough.”

It has been quite a year for Bronnie – whose cover has already had close to 9,400 views on YouTube.

She said: “I got to sing with XFactor Australia’s Andrew Lawson and I was selected to sing a duo with Kaitlin Beecham at the mayor’s Wirral Spotlight on Youth at the Floral Pavilion.”

Bronnie has also played the part of Sandy in Grease with two theatre companies and progressing in Ryan Seacrest’s competition would be “an amazing way to cap off an exciting year”, she says.

Although the teenager is yet to find out what the prize is for winning the competition, she is reassured that those who have competed before her have gone on to big things.

“Ryan Seacrest has done other contests like the best One Direction You and I Cover – The Vamps finished third place and Shawn Mendes came first in another.

“People have got record deals from it and have albums and EPs out.”

As well as having a passion for singing, Bonnie also has a love of musical theatre and has been performing since she was seven.

“I am in the SANDS Theatre Group and HAWK Theatre Group,” she said.
“Musical theatre is what got me into singing and gave me the confidence to perform and record.

“Sandy Bowen at the SANDS Theatre Group is the person who believed in me from an early age and gave me the confidence to perform.”

The final five finalists will be announced next Wednesday.

To vote for Bronnie, click here.