Looks like TIFF isn’t the only organization offering a rising star program these days. YouTube recently announced its NextUp initiative, which focuses on fostering the next generation of YouTube stars. The video site has become the jumping-off point for a number of young talents in recent years: everyone knows Justin Bieber’s story, but YouTube also helped Toronto’s Heather Russell land a recording contract with Simon Cowell, Winnipeg’s Maria Aragon perform with Lady Gaga onstage and Edmonton’s Mike Tompkins perform on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. NextUp will dish out about $35,000 apiece to up to 25 users that currently have less than 300,000 subscribers.
In addition to the cash prize, the selected users will be given a four-day spot at YouTube’s Creator Camp, complete with mentorship in production and videography. The site will also promote their future projects. Non-competing YouTube users will also get a direct vote in who makes the cut for the NextUp program: they can vote for their favourite stars between March 29 and April 8; judges will choose the finalists and announce them on April 8. With this soon-to-be new batch of YouTube stars, we can only hope for another “YouTube Stars” episode of The Tyra Banks Show.
• NextUp [YouTube]
• Youtube to invest up to $875, 000 in rising stars [Mashable]
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Heather Russell, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Maria Aragon, Mike Tompkins, music, Simon Cowell, YouTube
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