Mark Suknanan has risen from volunteer and internship roles across Canadian television to become this season’s trusted voice on Next Star Nation. He began his journey as a volunteer and intern with various networks, moved on to work as a production assistant for YTV’s The Next Star, and now serves as the hype man and the show’s web host for Next Star Nation. On screen he is known as Suki, and each week he chats with contestants and guest performers such as Emblem3.
He recently shared insights about his job, how his nickname came about, and what he is listening to these days. The stories reveal a candid, energetic host who thrives on being himself in front of the camera. Cited: Next Star Nation interview.
As the Next Star Nation web host, he handles the online AfterShow and the Backstage Pass, and he brings his authentic energy on camera. His view on what makes a great host is simple: be yourself, bring a bit of crazy, and stay connected to the real person behind the moments on screen. He also takes care of all the website uploads, including the photos of the contestants, a behind the scenes duty that nicely complements his on camera work.
“It’s one of the most awesome jobs ever. It consists of me hosting the online AfterShow and the Backstage Pass and just being this crazy person on camera who I actually am in real life. What it takes to be a host is just being yourself and being crazy. I also do all the website uploads, like the pictures of the contestants. It’s pretty cool that I get to do both – be behind the scenes and in front of the camera.”
“The AfterShow is basically the after party. We interview the contestants right after eliminations or when they make the top six or top twelve. We’re jumping around, singing, being crazy, rapping and all that stuff. It’s for Canada to get to know the contestants a little more without having to Google them. With this AfterShow, we’re letting the fans see all the information right there in the form of video with me talking loud.”
The top 12 are a group of exceptionally talented young performers from across Canada, each with a strong personality and a flair that stands out. They bring a spark to every performance, making them memorable and unique in every challenge they face.
I would vote for someone who shows up every single week and owns it. Someone who gives it their all and really cares to be there and rehearse, and you can tell they are a hard worker.
I can tell you about some guest performances lined up for the season leading to the finale. There will be D-Pryde, a rising rapper, delivering a high energy sound. Emblem3 will bring one of the craziest live shows ever. Tyler Shaw, who won the MuchMusic Coca-Cola Covers contest, will also be part of the lineup. There are other big names in talks for the finale, and it’s going to feel major. The finale is always the best part because everyone is together as one big family, and the moment makes the whole season feel special. It’s the best part, no doubt.
On the topic of the nickname, Suki explains that on the show there are three Marks: his boss named Mark, judge Mark Spicoluk, and himself. He started as a production assistant, getting people coffees, sweeping halls, and fetching food. He loved being on set and surrounded by music and dance every day. The nickname Suki came from his older brother and was discussed during talks about his on screen image. The team told him they would call him Suki, and at first he resisted, but now he’s grown used to it and even prefers it. When his brother first saw the promo with everyone dancing and announcing the tour, he joked about it, and the moment became a running joke on set.
His educational path also plays a big role in his career. He studied broadcast TV and radio at Niagara College, with a pivotal co‑op experience at Rogers TV. He volunteered at Rogers and MuchMusic and earned an internship at MTV. Education matters because it teaches skills that volunteering alone can’t provide, and blending classroom learning with hands‑on experience helped him push through long hours and demanding schedules. He remembers those days clearly, waking early and staying late, and he wouldn’t trade the effort for anything because the work is his passion.
Music is a driving force in his life. He loves a wide range of artists and tunes, and he keeps a strong pulse on current hits. Lorde’s Royals stands out as a standout track, and he also enjoys Ellie Goulding’s Anything Could Happen, Demi Lovato’s Really Don’t Care featuring Cher Lloyd, and Justin Timberlake. He follows Down With Webster’s One In A Million, Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande, and Fifth Harmony, always ready to sing along to whatever is on the radio. Music fuels his energy, and it often accompanies him through long shoots and backstage moments.
Asked about pet peeves, he admits a playful stance on touch. He doesn’t like being touched in casual contexts, but he is a hugger at heart, enjoying a friendly pat on the shoulder or a handshake more than anything. The key is comfort and connection, and he balances boundaries with warmth in easygoing conversations.
As for getting ready to be in front of the camera, his ritual is energetic and fast. He often starts by rapping along to Nicki Minaj’s verse in Monster to boost adrenaline. He admits to doing handstands in the hallways or even a little wall twerking for fun. It’s a high‑energy routine that anchors him before live shows and the AfterShow, and it underscores the playful, fearless vibe he brings to Next Star Nation.
Fans can catch The Next Star on Mondays at 7 p.m. Eastern on YTV, with all new exclusive Next Star Nation videos available on the show site on Tuesdays. This journey highlights how a person’s drive, creativity, and love for music can build a dynamic role that resonates with audiences across Canada and the United States. Cited: Next Star Nation interview.