Paper Cutouts win Bermuda's Youth Got Talent (update)

TUESDAY, MAY 29: Four Bermuda High School students wrote their own song, played their own instruments and won the first annual Bermuda’s Youth Got Talent.

The Paper Cutouts - Emerson Krebs, 17, Andrew Sussman, 16, Nathaniel Sussman, 17, and Harley Sapsford, 17 - were announced as the grand prize winners yesterday afternoon at the Coalition for the Protection of Children.

The boys won $5,000, courtesy of Capital G, and an iPad2.

After all the votes were tallied, the Paper Cutouts won 11.5 percent of the 2,170 votes.

They beat out more than 160 hopefuls to be crowned the first-ever winner of the competition.

Votes were recorded via phone calls, text and online.

Paper Cutouts won 11.5 percent of the votes.

Asked how it felt to win, Andrew said: “It feels amazing.”

His brother Nathaniel said: “It was a huge surprise.

“When we saw everyone else on TV, we didn’t get to see a lot of the acts because we were backstage during the show and when we saw them, it’s was a humbling experience because everyone was so good.”

Emmerson added: “We weren’t even sure people liked the kind of music.

“It was intimidating.”

Emmerson said they plan to buy new equipment with the money they won.

Nathaniel added: “We’re going to try to put in into some production for a mix tape that we’re working on that we’re self producing with all original music.

“So we’re going to use the money into mixing and mastering that and releasing it this summer so look out for it.”

As for the rest of the finalists, Tenae Hassell won the People’s Choice award and $500.

The favourite single act over 13 was Kyle Wong and under 13 was Ameina Lewis.

The favourite group over 13 was AMM and the under 13 winner was Star Boyz.

Favourite dancers over 13 were Hay Smitty and under 13 was Micah Corea.

Best instrumental performance winner was Brittney Ferreira and exceptional performer was Kandell Trott.

Each of those winners won $300.

Nicola Feldman, executive director of the Coalition, said: “We would like to thanks the public for all their support and the students and their parents for their support during this process.”