On a personal note with Kyle Grant

FAME and good fortune in his career did not allow this star forget where his roots are.Kyle Grant, a member of big local band ADAM, talks to the RECORD about growing up in Alberton and how he got to where he is.

Kyle was born at the Park Lane Clinic, in Johannesburg, on December 2, 1985.

“I lived in the same house, in Randhart, in Alberton, for the first 27 years of my life and fondly remember my first kiss, on the grounds of the Alberton Mardi Gras,” Kayle says.

”There were Saturday mornings at Alberton City mall, having waffles at the Milky Lane, cool live bands playing outside the CD shops, ten pin bowling downstairs and ‘skelmrook’ on quiet nights, with my cousins in the cinema; the good old days.”

He adds: “I remember burger-eating contests at Pano’s Diner and the wonderful Mr and Mrs Harry Menken’s Winning Post restaurant, where my mom, dad and both my grans would have Sunday carvery most Sundays, after church.

”Alberton was the best place to be a ’90’s kid. In my heart I will always be an ‘Alberton boytjie’.”

Kyle went to Alberview Primary, later attending St Benedict’s College for three years, to pursue his rowing career and, after winning an SA Championship race, he set his sights on drama.

He finished his schooling at Northcliff High, because of their well-known drama department.

His father was a priest and a Sunday school teacher at the Old Apostolic Church in General Alberts Park, until the day he suddenly passed away in 2012.

“He was the kindest, gentlest human being I have ever known and I miss him every day of my life; he is still my biggest inspiration in my personal life,” says Kyle.

Hugo Ludik (ADAM founder) met Kyle at the Alberton Boma theatre in 2010, while performing in tribute shows there, and soon asked him if he would be interested in being a singer in his band.

Kyle was touring Hong Kong, China and Taiwan in the role of ”Ryan Evans”, in Disney’s “High School Musical”, so he had to turn down the offer, but a few years later, and with ADAM one band member short, he took the opportunity and joined them.

Kyle married fellow performer, Elizca, after playing alongside her in the musical ”Hairspray”, at Gold Reef City.

“I think, for me, the most important thing in our industry is to keep balance, remain humble, true to yourself and sane, while continuously striving to produce excellence.

”To reach perfection takes a lot of meditation and copious amounts of red wine. Just kidding,” says Kyle, laughing.

“You have to make time for your family, they come first and they’re not here forever.

”Other things can wait, but when you have the time to work on your craft, use it wisely. Be honest with yourself and work hard. Don’t expect results immediately. Just keep your chin up and don’t stop.”

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