Fochville resident busy with big things
A resident of Fochville is working hard to make it big in the performing industry. She has had an opportunity most others could only dream of.
“Ever since I could remember, I always wanted to be on a stage and do big things. As a little girl, I would always dance and sing for my family and my grandfather always used to say I would make it big someday,” says Ansonette Maree (22). Because of this, she has taken every opportunity that has come her way. “When I got older, I would enter competitions like Idols and SA’s Got Talent and any other small local ones, just to be able to perform. I did an opening act for one of SA’s artists, Piet Pompies, and a CD launch in 2017. I also did a showcase in Monte Casino with Annie from Cap43, who works with Karlien Van Jaarsveld and many other artists for more experience,” she says. In 2018, Ansonette signed up with Cultural Care Au Pair and went off to the USA. Besides learning more about the country and its customs in general, she also studied performing arts at UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles). She got to learn more about the finer details of acting and Hollywood. She also auditioned for musical theatre shows like Tarzan, Kinky Boots and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. She auditioned for American Idols in San Diego and had to wait from 03:00 to find a good spot because of how many people auditioned. She also performed as a worship singer in Saddleback Church, the biggest church in California. In 2019, Ansonette auditioned for the Vocal Star competition in Tyson’s Corner in Virginia. Here, she was scouted by Jeff Sievers and was invited to fly out to Hollywood in Los Angeles. “We did a showcase in the Loews Hotel in Hollywood LA. I met and worked with so many great people – managers and producers scouting new talent for Universal Studios and Disney, among others. We learnt about the entertainment industry, how to walk and pose on the red carpet for photographers and what to do for magazine- and live interviews. I got to work with well-known people in the entertainment industry who have big labels and recording studios and are top producers and managers,” she says. Ansonette also got to work with George Caceres, who has worked with many celebrities like Bella Thorne and James Maslow from the Nickelodeons show, Big Time Rush, among other things. Alongside George, she got to work with Don Wolf who is a well know vocal coach, and Damon Sharpe, an American Grammy-winning record producer and songwriter. He has worked with many artists like Jennifer Lopez, Ariana Grand and Pitbull. Ansonette also worked with the multi-platinum producer and songwriter, Adam H and the choreo- grapher, Dave Scott. “I performed “Beautiful” by Christina Aguilera because of the range and how well it fits with my voice. I love singing songs that challenge me and really showcase my voice. At the end of the night, George and James Maslow hosted an amazing event, where I got to wear an evening gown. It felt like I was in an actual awards show; it was an amazing experience,” Ansonette tells. When she got back home, she immediately started working with an ambassador’s company from New York City and is working as an influencer. “This is the best because I love encouraging others to believe in themselves. I also got signed by 33 and Me Talent Agency, where I did a few episodes of Binnelanders and I’m not done yet! I was always told that I’m not good enough and that I should just quit. But I didn’t. I am just a normal small-town girl who was bullied because I wanted to sing. By not listening, I made it in the city where stars are born, I did something people said I could never do. So, I just want to say, never give up and just go for it,” this up-and-coming star says.
