Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

Nadje Leslie represented the island in 2005. - Andrew Smith/Photography Editor

Jamaica is in preparation for the Olympics again ... the talent Olympics, that is. Like the 'real' Olympics, the finest competitors from different countries are invited to the World Championships of the Performing Arts.

Between July 28 and August 5, the heat rises as the competitors face off in Hollywood, California. According to the official website of the competition, www.worldchampionships.tv/back.html, "over 75,000 applicants from 47 countries and the United States auditioned for a spot to participate at the 10th anniversary of the celebrated, one-and-only World Talent Championships. Griff O'Neil, competition president and founder and a one-time executive of the Miss Universe Pageant, recruited over 75 scouts and national directors to scour the globe for outstanding talent."

On the website, O'Neil further elaborates that the World Championships is the only Olympic-style talent competition ever created and is a rare opportunity for the privileged few selected to compete at such a remarkable event.

Relatively new to the talent Olympics, Jamaica officially launched its participation in 2004 and so far has had huge successes, most notably that of World Championship duo sister act Ana and Samantha Strachan. Other successes rising out of the programme are the ESOR dancers, who walked away with the 2004 Junior Dance Champion title and was offered a development contract with Fontaine Talent Agency. Roger Hall from the 2005 team received a partial scholarship to the New York School of Film and Television, where he is currently pursing studies.

Organisers are looking to expand to create a system of competitions designed to provide invaluable experience and exposure for aspiring artistes around the world. This year there will be a whopping 60 countries, plus the United States, competing for the coveted gold medal in dance, vocal, modelling, acting, comedy, bands, instrumental and variety (various ages, females and males, individuals and groups).

Vigorous

The Liberty Drummers, members of Jamaica's World Talent Championships team of 2005.

This year the preparations have been vigorous, with the competitors undergoing rigorous training. According to Anicia Browning-Thomas, a local talent scout, this year there are 70 contestants, individuals and groups - the largest contingent Jamaica has ever sent. This crop was chosen through auditions that were held from September 2006 to February 2007. Five auditions were held in Kingston and one in St Elizabeth. The audition tapes are sent to the regional director, who makes the final cut. Thomas said they got a number of persons participating this year.

With so much young talent in Jamaica Thomas had to make some tough choices, but at the end of the day raw talent and versatility was what put some contestants on top. "We're looking for versatility; we have to identify the talent there, especially if they can perform in various categories. They should also be able to follow instructions at the workshops. Once the talent is there you can work with it," she said.

Some of the more outstanding competitors are singjay Orlando Swaby, Onique Scott - a model who participated in Barbados 2006 Fashion Week, as well as an acoustic guitar player and numerous others. The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) has assisted in the search, in that some of the finalists have been a product of their talent searches. One such is Andr Morris, model and actor, who modelled at Pulse's Caribbean Fashionweek and has a JCDC gold medal in acting.

Kim and Kyla, who competed in the World Talent Championships. - Contributed

Thomas says, "I think we have quite a mix. They have a lot of potential, especially when compared to what we've had over the years." She says that Jamaicans have finally begun to become more interested in the World Championships. However, compared to other Caribbean countries such as Trinidad, which has over 300 competitors, Jamaica still has leagues to go.

Yet the opportunity comes around once in a lifetime, opening doors in entertainment. "They will be meeting with movie producers, singers and countless others. There is no real monetary gain, but the opportunity is great," Thomas said. And as the Jamaican contingent prepares to be sent off to Hollywood, they carry in their hearts the hope for gold.