X-Factor UK among Alaska’s aims in 2018

Popular Amanzimtoti songbird Alaska Hilton (15) keeps reaching for the stars.

After a hectically busy academic and performing arts year and hot off the heels of several gigs with her band, Alaska and her guitarist Merika Bambela performed two acoustic evenings at Westville Theatre and Tuscany Lodge. Both shows were a resounding success.

After the talented grade 8 Eden College pupil played the role of Suzie in ‘Unplugged the Musical’ and Cinderella in the Westville Theatre pantomime ‘Cinderella and her Fella’ last year, she had a deserving short break before she headed off to October Sun Productions recording studio to complete her second original single ‘Forgive’. The new single was released on CDBaby, iTunes and Google Play two weeks ago.

Another new single is in the pipeline, with recording due to start within the next few weeks.

Her vocal talents were recognised when she was awarded the student of the year trophy at Vocal Vibes Studio in Durban. Not one to let her grades slip because of her hectic performing schedule, she received nine subject distinctions in her end of year report for grade 9. Being the busy body she is, Alaska is now concentrating on performing in the annual Eden College show in Glenwood and is in rehearsals five days a week.

She will be on stage for the Romantic Review show at Westville Theatre over the last weekend in May and the first weekend in June, and is currently in rehearsals twice a week for that show. Dates for the show are still to be announced.

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The young songstress will complete her Trinity College of London grade 6 vocal exams in May and grade 7 exams in October. Having a British passport has also enabled her to submit her entry for X-Factor UK season 15.

Asked why she opted to enter X-Factor UK and not any of the other local or British talent shows, Alaska said: “X-Factor UK is seen in more countries than any other talent show around the world. I would like to enter The Voice South Africa but there is an 18 years and older entry limitation.

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For my entry to X-Factor UK I sent in a video of me doing a cover version of ‘Gravity’. I should find out if I’ve made it through to the next round by the end of July. I think I have a 50/50 chance. There are a lot of very talented vocalists in the UK and Europe but hey if you don’t try, you will never know.”

If she makes it through to the next round, Toti will lose its star for a few months, as the rules state you have to relocate to Britain for up to 12 months. “I am still very passionate about musical theatre and performing in musical theatre shows and it is a dream of mine to one day perform in the West End and or on Broadway in a large production,” said Alaska.