YOUNG SINGER REUBEN WOWS ON US CHAT SHOW
A TALENTED young singer from Cardiff has stolen the heart of American chat show host Ellen DeGeneres and her viewers.
Reuben de Maid, from Llandaff, gave a stunning performance on one of the most watched talkshows in the world.
He was then interviewed by Ellen and they chatted about his love of singing and make-up.
Viewers compared him to “a young Adam Lambert” and said they hoped he would inspire their children to be confident in what they wear and who they want to be.
The 12-year-old is also appearing on American talent show Little Big Shots, produced by DeGeneres, which features “the world’s most talented and extraordinary kids”.
Speaking about his love of singing, Reuben said: “I have been singing since I could talk.
“I begged my mum for a karaoke machine and one day she bought it.
“My sister and brother were frustrated and they listened to it 24/7 blasting.”
Asked where he got his talent from, he added: “My mum can sing, and my nan, but not my dad. I don’t really know, I think it comes from my mum’s side.”
Reuben also talked about his second love, make-up, which he said he had been bullied over.
He said: “Ever since I was eight years old I was interested.
“I watched my phone for hours on end learning from tutorials and blogs how to do it.”
Asked whether he wore make-up in school, he said: “I get told off for it but I try to.
“Before I used to get bullied a lot, I had friends but not a lot and in my drama group I used to get hit, punched and kicked.
“It went on for two months and I tried to brush it off but it didn’t work.
“I stepped up to them and told my mum and it stopped because I transferred to another school.”
When asked what he wanted to be when he grows up, Reuben said he wanted to be “a Kardashian”.
He added: “I’d love to be on stage but I’d like to have my own make-up brand and to have a YouTube channel with my sister and do make-up tutorials.”
At the end of the interview, Ellen had a surprise for Reuben and revealed a make-up table which made the youngster scream and jump in delight.
She praised Reuben’s courage and for not changing who he was.
Writing on her Facebook page while posting a link to the video of the interview, Ellen said: “I absolutely love this kid from Wales – his voice, his character, his uniqueness, all of it.”