Chris second in Usher’s contest
Motueka-based singer-songwriter Chris Black has won second place in the worldwide Megastar talent competition.
Black was told he’d made it to the final of American music giant Usher’s Megastar competition last week, and flew to Los Angeles to meet the star.
The 25-year-old made it to the top out of thousands of people from all over the world who submitted their videos to the app.
Black said he ‘‘basically exploded’’ when he found out was one of the top five finalists in the contest.
The top prize of US$1 million went to American singer Andie Case.
The final, live-streamed through the Megastar app on Saturday night, was particularly significant for Black, taking place on the 21st anniversary of his father’s death.
Also a singer-songwriter, Black’s father passed away when he was four years old.
Black said he started singing and playing guitar when he was seven and taught himself to play piano a couple of years ago.
Usher had been one of his favourite childhood pop stars, but said he’s branched out, singing anything from R&B to pop.
Black chose Sia’s Chandelier as his final track.
After making second place, Usher took Black by the shoulders and said, ‘‘your father would be very proud, I’m very proud of you.’’
The competition was based on votes from the public over a 48-hour period last weekend.
Black had been sitting second in the top seven before the competition judges decided on the top five.
Public votes were reset and the musicians started from scratch in a mad rush to gather as many as possible.
He takes home US$25,000 (NZ$35,743).