Simon Britton – the music producer of Eminem, Leona Lewis and Michael Jackson, will sit alongside the popular TV and film actor Wil Johnson at the final of one of Birmingham’s hottest new talent competitions.

Wil Johnson Aspire4U

Simon Britton is one half of Red Rhythm, the world record production, songwriting & remix team whose credits include Run DMC, Eminem, Sting, Timbaland, Usher, Michael Jackson and Leona Lewis.

Wil Johnson, who starred in the BBC’s Holby City, Waterloo Road and Clocking Off, will judge the performing artists at this years final of Project Talent on June 2.

With a 27-year acting career on the small screen, Wil has also become a popular face in the UK, with an appearance in various No1 box office hits, including Adulthood, Anuvahood and Oscar award-winning hit European movie In a Better World.

Auditions for Project Talent took place at the Joseph Chamberlain College on March 15 and 23, and on March 17 at the Rainbow in Digbeth. Young local artists who can sing, dance, model, rap, emcee, design clothes or produce videos auditioned.

The winner of the Project Talent competition will be awarded the guidance from a team of glitzy industry professionals, including Simon Britton and Andrew Riley – the Managing Director of Publishing Ink.

Other prizes include various photo shoots, opportunities to model at London fashion week, a performance at the Music Video & Screen Awards, modelling in an exclusive Mailbox fashion show, a feature in Flavour magazine and the production of a professional demo.

Project Talent has a number of high profile sponsors including HMV, EMI, The Mailbox, Style Birmingham, Sunkist and more.

The competition has been organised by Aspire4U CIC – a social enterprise based in Birmingham.

“Project Talent has received support from a number of organisations over the years who recognise the value of backing positive community initiatives,” said Daniella Genas, Chief Executive of Aspire4U CIC.

“Whilst a number of companies have corporate social responsibility remits, not all take an active interest in what is going on in the communities they serve, and we thank those who have contributed to making this the freshest competition in Birmingham.”

To find out more, visit www.projecttalent.co.uk