Giving new talents a chance to shine

MANILA, Philippines - No one can question the expertise and power of top producer Nigel Lythgoe. A permanent fixture in the industry for over three decades now, it is with no doubt that he has become one of the most respected people in the world of television. His most recent endeavor? A talent search to unearth the slew of talent found on social networking sites on E!’s Opening Act.

Famous for producing hit reality talent shows American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance?, Nigel actually entered the industry as a dancer in BBC’s song and dance group The Young Generation. In just two years, he became the group’s choreographer. This eventually led him to choreograph shows including The Muppet Show, and work with some great names like Bing Crosby, Ben Vereen and Gene Kelly.

Although dancing has always been his childhood dream, Nigel felt he could offer much more to the audiences so he dipped his toes into producing and directing. He brought shows like American Gladiators and Popstars to the UK audience. He then worked with Simon Fuller on Pop Idol, which later on developed into the international phenomenon American Idol.

Taking off from the success of six-time Emmy-nominated American Idol, Nigel co-created So You Think You Can Dance?, another reality talent show which reunited him with his passion for dancing. As a resident judge, he is also able to meet and share his insights with budding dancers and crews.

Now, Nigel places another feather on his cap with Opening Act on E! Entertainment. A new reality talent show which is different from American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance? as it is not a competition. What the show does is to give hopeful talents a shot at fame by providing them with a chance to be chosen as opening acts for some of today’s biggest names in entertainment: Nicki Minaj, LMFAO, Gym Class Heroes, Lady Gaga and Jason Mraz.

Opening Act looks for passionate and talented artists who, through YouTube, showed that they have what it takes to become stars. It also boasts of a stellar cast and crew, headlined by big stars like Grammy winner Mary J. Blige, songwriter Antonina Armato, Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz and country diva Martina McBride. These artists, together with vocal coach Nick Cooper, help bring out the best in the aspiring talents.

The new reality talent show reminds Nigel of his journey in the entertainment industry. He had been fortunate enough to have been given the chance to enter show business doing what he loves, and he sees Opening Act as his way of extending the same opportunity to today’s aspiring talents.

Asked how he sees himself several years from now, Nigel said he will most probably still be doing one of the things he does best — producing. “Producing entails hardwork. But I’m very passionate about it so most of the time, it doesn’t feel like a job anymore,” he said.