More about Queanne's ARTS journey

Queanne Southwood is an 18 year old up & coming singer and actress from Salt Rock, who was scouted to perform at the Applause Rising Talent Showcase in Orlando, Florida from July 23rd to July 29th 2018. Queanne has been singing and acting since she was 9 years old however has been professionally performing for 7 years, doing a variety of different performances which have moulded her into the performer she is today as well as prepared her for what's to come in America where she will be representing a dream that international is not impossible. Not only has Queanne's experience in the theatre and music industry prepared her but she is currently signed to Just You Model and Artist management who have been training her in all aspects of this entertainment industry.

She attended Our Lady of Fatima Convent School where she participated as the lead actress and vocalist in many school plays, houseplays, supper theatre's and musical soiree's as well as directed and was the script-writer for her own house-play in her grade 11 year. Queanne also received her Performing Arts honours in her grade 11 year as well as her Choir Half Colours. She was choir captain in her matric year as well as the chamber choir vice-captain.

Queanne has also done three solo performances for The Durban Youth Council, worked as a wedding singer throughout her years starting in 2016, done two performances for the North Coasts' New Beginnings morning functions. In 2014, Queanne competed in the South African Championships of Performing Arts, competing locally and nationally. A highlight of her music career was when she performed in her first Barnyard theatre show in 2015 called 'Beat It', in Shelley McClain's DanSing Academy as well as in 2016 when she performed with Platform Jazz. 2015 was also the year she auditioned for SA idols but she unfortunately did not make it as far as hoped however she feels it was still a step forward that will still contribute and all play a part in her success.

After these years of gaining experience and trying to 'make it' in the industry, she finally began to get her 'break'. And it started when Queanne was scouted at the International Arts Talent Showcase Auditions by Elouise Janse Van Rensburg and Elsubie Verlinden, the director of Just You Model and Artist Management. This was when her dreams starting to manifest into her reality. It was in October 2017 when Queanne performed and then was scouted by American Talent Agent, Kim Myers, at the Silverstar Casino at the International Arts Talent Showcase. It was at midnight the following day after she performed for Kim Myers did she receive a message inviting her to the Applause Rising Talent Showcase in Orlando Florida. This is where she will get to perform for various talent agencies, record labels, production companies and A&R companies. Contestants are competing for trophies, prizes, modelling contracts, acting/performance opportunities with the A&R companies, production and recording labels/ studios. Contestants also get to attend a number of workshops gaining knowledge about the industry. This is the opportunity she has been waiting for, her entire life of performing.

Queanne was also scouted by the New York Film Academy, once in October 2017 then again in February 2018. She attended an audition and workshop with them and will be visiting the New York Film Academy for more workshops on her trip to The United States this July.

Queanne has spent her year so far, preparing for America, by travelling between Johannesburg and Durban for photo shoots, commercials for companies such as SKY TV and SA Tourism and doing as many singing gigs as possible. She has been spreading her story on platforms such as radio stations like vow.fm in Johannesburg as well as Durban Youth Radio.

Just You Model and Artist Management, the agency she is signed to, held two Artist Boot camps earlier this year, where all the artists were trained to perfection in their specific fields as well as in branding, portfolio and media work. Queanne is prepared and more than ready to take on whats to come at ARTS and will perform in two solo singing performances (Broadway and Pop), two monologues (comedic and dramatic) as well as photography, theme runway, creative runway, TV commercial and film scene.