An independent singer-songwriter with roots in Chatham-Kent is vying for votes with a chance to open for a superstar lineup at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.
Kaitlyn Frances, who was born and raised in Chatham and went to to King George VI Public School and Chatham-Kent Secondary School, is competing in the pop category of the Opening Act competition put on by Audacy.
Frances says her music career really took off after she decided to drop out of the University of Windsor so that she could pursue her dream fulltime.
"I went for psychology because I wanted to be a psychologist like my dad because I've always loved connecting with people," said Frances. "Then in my fourth year, with the pandemic, I was just so sad and unmotivated, so my parents supported me transitioning into music and that's another way of connecting with people. It just kind of flourished from there."
Frances said after she released a few singles, she got in contact with some people who wanted to distribute her songs and they started getting played all across the country.
The winner of last year's Opening Act competition opened for Coldplay, Black Eyed Peas, Doja Cat, Kid Laroi, and Shawn Mendes at Audacy's annual concert at the Hollywood Bowl. This year's lineup won't be announced until August 1.
The winning contestant will also get their own private dressing room, exposure on the radio, and $10,000.
The current round of voting is open online and Frances is leading in her category with six days left to make it into the Top 20.
"I think I've just had a lot of people supporting me from the beginning and I need the help of my hometown," said Frances. "If I make it into the top 20... that would be a dream come true."
You can find the link to the competition's voting site by clicking here.