Kylie Price
Dunedin singer Kylie Price has withdrawn from Television
New Zealand's talent search programme
New Zealand's Got
Talent.
The 19-year-old University of Otago music student qualified
for the semifinals of the programme, but was not permitted to
continue after this week refusing to sign an exclusive
contract.
"I have been advised by the TV company that I will not now be
performing in the semifinals of NZGT," she posted on
Facebook.
"In order for me to take part in the semifinals of the show I
was required to sign contracts that prevented me from
performances and other opportunities.
"I truly appreciate everyone's support and kindness, both
before and during the show. I also wish the very best of luck
to all competitors ..."
She confirmed to the Otago Daily Times yesterday she
had withdrawn from the competition, but said she was unable
to discuss the situation because of contractual obligations.
Price received a standing ovation from the judges after her
rendition of Beyonce's If I Were A Boy, which screened
on October 7.
She was widely considered a leading contender in the contest.
She won the TVNZ "Find A Star" competition last year and was
a guest artist at the ODT "Big Night In" community
concert at Forsyth Barr Stadium. She was also the overall
winner of this year's New Zealand Gold Guitar Awards.
TVNZ spokeswoman Meredith McGrath said last night the
conditions were imposed by Imagination Television Ltd.
"I can confirm that Kylie has withdrawn from NZGT. Due
to the contract she was required to sign at this stage of the
competition, she no longer wished to continue on as a
semifinalist," she said.
"The contract pertains to a Sony management deal and other
recording agreements that are potentially part of the
NZGT prize package. This contract is universal to the
NZGT format here and internationally.
"NZGT contestants are not precluded from any public
performances. The release form and agreement all contestants
signed at the auditions does require the contestants to seek
approval from the show's producers before participating in
any media interviews, performances or programmes.
"Under the terms of that contract, they are not allowed to
talk to the media until 30 days after the transmission of the
final programme."
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