In a matter of weeks the winner of The Next Star will be crowned. Canadian fans on YTV will decide among Kaleia Odelle, Nissita Francis, Shon Burnett, Jory Zechner, Michaelah Weekes, and Ryland Clark as they compete for the title.
Kaleia
Kaleia is twelve years old and lives with her parents, her older brother Cass, and three cats named Raffi, Bruce Lee, and Marilyn. Friends describe her as fun, funny, and brave. She has been singing since before she could talk, and her voice blends pop, blues, jazzy soul, with a hint of country. She tends to adapt her sound like a chameleon, choosing songs that she loves and that she truly feels. Her first performance traces back to kindergarten when she sang and danced in a year-end show in a ballet costume, and the moment moved her teacher to tears from the back of the auditorium. If Kaleia could duet with anyone, she would choose Sia for a rendition of Chandelier. Her finale vision is big, bold, and unforgettable—music everybody can dance to and sing along with. Kaleia believes she is The Next Star because she has sung her whole life, keeps trying new things, puts in the hard work, and hopes to inspire others during the journey.
Nissita
Nissita is known as Lizzy to her family and friends. She is thirteen and a ninth grader who studies piano through the RCM system and competes in regional music festivals. Singing has always been part of her life, and she has longed for formal singing lessons. Her audition for The Next Star was sparked by a difficult family moment; her father’s illness reminded her to live boldly and pursue opportunities without regret. She first performed on the Next Star stage singing Feeling Good in front of the judges. People might be surprised to learn that beneath a small frame lies a bubbly and chatty personality who loves dogs and Skittles. Her favorite Next Star moment was meeting the Top 6 as a second family and sharing moments at Canada’s Wonderland, hot tubs, fancy dinners, and long rehearsals. Nissita believes her path to The Next Star rests on hard work, determination, and a deep love for music that fuels her unique voice.
Shon
Shon is twelve years old and plays several instruments. He began singing at age four and started piano lessons at six. His sound is rooted in pop-rock. He felt pure joy when he earned his Golden Ticket and could head to Toronto to perform on YTV. Shon looks up to Justin Bieber and admits he started out as a street performer at nine, drawing inspiration from Bieber’s style. One of his favorite moments on the show was the makeover day, when he could see his new look and imagine the stage energy that would follow. He keeps his belief simple: hard work and joy on stage define his journey as The Next Star.
Jory
Jory is fifteen and explains that her name comes from a blend of her grandparents’ names, Joanne and Jerry. Singing is her passion, and she describes her sound as smooth and powerful. She jokes that she has a quirky side and sometimes speaks freely because nerves push her to chatter. If she could duet with anyone, it would be Demi Lovato, whose music has helped Jory through tough moments and mental health challenges she has faced in her own life. At twelve, she wrote her first song, It Breaks My Heart, which appears on her EP Jory, Heart & Soul, alongside The Game, her audition piece. Her finale vision is intense, energetic, and illuminated by lights with her family in the crowd. Jory believes she is The Next Star because she writes her own music, performs with her full heart, and grows with every experience. She would celebrate the other Top 6’s talent as well, recognizing that they are all stars.
Michaelah
Michaelah is fifteen and describes her personality as calm and quiet, turning energetic, loud, and a bit quirky once she takes the stage. Her sound blends R&B and pop, drawing inspiration from Beyoncé and Michael Jackson. Getting her Golden Ticket felt like a dream come true. Her first major performance was nerve-wracking and charmingly imperfect, but she learned to trust herself on stage. Since joining The Next Star, nerves have faded, and she has noticed a real shift in her performance. Michaelah lists her gratitude for the people around her—vocal coach, choreographers, makeup and wardrobe teams, producers, and their house mom—who have all helped shape her journey. She remains grateful for the life-changing experience The Next Star has offered and believes the competition has already broadened her world. If she wins, great; if not, she feels blessed to have shared this chapter with so many talented artists.
Ryland
Ryland is fifteen and began singing at age two in a musical family. His style blends pop, jazz, and R&B. He is initially shy, but once he gets to know someone, he opens up into a lively, creative, and sometimes wildly quirky performer. He enjoys sports like baseball, hockey, and track and field, and he often jokes that the three words that best describe him are, I suppose, that crazy guy. The finale vision for Ryland centers on delivering the most memorable stage moment ever, feeding off the audience energy and making a connection with his fans. His favorite Next Star moment was the overwhelming roar of the crowd. He believes The Next Star is his path to inspire others to chase their dreams and fall in love with music as deeply as he does.
Final note
The competition continues as Kaleia, Nissita, Shon, Jory, Michaelah, and Ryland share their journeys. Viewers can follow the Top 6 every Monday at 7 p.m. ET/PT on YTV as they move toward the live grand finale and the crowning of The Next Star.