Entertainer prepares for dream US trip
Mfundo Mkhize was recently selected to take part in an international talent showcase in Orlando, Florida.
GIFTED performer, singer and model, Mfundo Mkhize is determined to make his mark in the entertainment industry. The matric Durban High School talented all-rounder has been selected to take part in an international talent showcase in Orlando, Florida, where he will be judged by some of the biggest names in the American entertainment industry.
Mfundo’s journey to stardom started at a very young age. His interest in dancing started when he was eight years old. “My older brother always danced, he loved Chris Brown! He used to ask me to video him and he inspired me. It became a passion for me and I haven’t stopped dancing since,” he said. His love for dance has been expressed on various platforms and earned him success. These include the Durban Performing Arts where he won best individual performance on two occasions, Northlands Dance Battle, Durban Music Awards and International Talent Showcase to name a few.
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Not only does Mfundo dance, but he is an accomplished model. He admits to being inspired by local model Michael Keyter who opened his own modelling school. “He encouraged me to join and I graduated with my judges course after four years, at the age of 14,” he said. Under Michael, he earned the 2nd prince title at the Mr Teen Junior Africa Pageant in 2013.
Mfundo has also been involved in music since 2010 and has released various original songs that he was given the opportunity to perform at different gatherings and events such as Tribute to the Turn up Gods, the Durban High School Fashion Show, the Durban Zulu Evening and The International Talent Showcase.
“I was inspired by Michael Jackson at the age of 10 and taught myself how to sing. I wanted to sing like him,” he said.
His love for acting was sparked while he was still a child and it was no surprise that drama became a study subject of choice.
“My best friend used to come over every day after school and we would think of movie plots and create characters, then we would act out the whole thing. We did that for years! Samuel L Jackson and Will Smith are my favourite actors,” he said.
He took his love for the entertainment industry a step further by participating in the International Talent Showcase (ITS) auditions in Richard’s Bay a year ago, where he won top dancer, top musician and overall artist categories.
“I was really happy with the results and am currently working as a freelance artist under Just You Modeling and Artists Management Talent Agency. The director, Elsubie Verlinden, is connected with Kim Myers who is an international talent scout who hosts the annual Applause Rising Talent Showcase (ARTS) in Florida. I was selected to go to Kim’s auditions in October last year and am excited to have been selected to go to ARTS which runs from 23 to 29 July,” he said.
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During the week, participants attend workshops and the biggest names in the entertainment industry view the talent at the various competitions.
“Elsubie persuaded me to do all 11 competitions, so I will be participating in various modelling competitions, a TV commercial, a film scene, improvisation, monologue, singing and dancing,” she said.
He said following the competitions there would be days of callbacks and he has been told to expect to be on the list of top call backs for modelling.
“I’m planning to move to the US when I finish matric this year as I have been scouted by New York Film Academy for a partial scholarship. If any of the big names in the industry like me, I will be available for work. My aim is to get into Universal Studios, IMG Models and Quality Control Records. I’m so grateful for everything that has happened, I have been working my whole life for this!” he said.
The community can follow Mfundo on @muscle.man_za, on King FlexRSA on YouTube, at Mfundo Mpumelelo Siyabonga Mkhize on Facebook, where they can view photos and dance videos.
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