Man gets special chance to sing with a Disney princess – and he brings the house down
A video of a “Random audience guy” getting to sing on stage with Broadway legend and Disney princess voice Lea Salonga has been viewed over 14 million times since it was uploaded in 2011.
The pair’s duet of “A Whole New World,” from the animated film Aladdin is breathtaking.
But it doesn’t take much to figure out he’s anything but a “random audience guy” – not with a voice and stage presence like that.
In fact, Jared Young’s musical career began at age 16 as a member of the Mormon pop band T-Minus Friday, which toured Europe.
He also starred in the musical “In the Shade,” with Audra MacDonald.
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But he might be most recognizable for the impromptu duet – which does appear to be unstaged.
At a concert stop at Utah’s De Jong Concert Hall, the songstress asked her audience if she could get a volunteer for the duet and Young’s hand shot up. Whether or not she knew who he was we’ll probably never know, but he ended up wowing the audience alongside her.
“When she asked the audience for a volunteer… I managed to start screaming ‘LEA, PICK ME!!’ She chose me and I ran onstage out of breath and still a bit shocked at what was about to happen. We bantered a bit about my excitement then she handed me a lyric sheet and we began,” he told Yahoo.
Salonga was also impressed.
“… it’s always wonderful when the guy comes up here is actually really, really good so Jared, thank you!” she said.
We can only imagine what happens when the person CAN’T sing – can we see those videos?!
According to Yahoo News:
“Jared Young grew up dreaming of playing the role of Aladdin. Eventually he auditioned for the role at Disney’s California Adventure and made final cuts two years in a row but wasn’t cast either time and quit auditioning. Years later his dream resurfaced.”
That’s pretty cool if it’s true! And it’s no surprise then that he didn’t really need to consult the lyrics sheet during their duet.
Some people caught on, of course:
“Most people don’t understand the work a vocalist has to put in to reach that kind of proficiency. But I can tell you’ve been practicing this for a long time. You absolutely nailed the harmonies, and you have the perfect warmth and depth for the part. Great job man!” said one viewer.
But even those who weren’t fooled by the “random audience guy” act were still unwilling to be critical – it was an awesome duet!
“Trust me, he’s NOT just a ‘Random’ audience guy! He may not be completely ‘polished’ like her, but he’s trained!!!”
Young’s career didn’t end with his impromptu performance in 2011 though. After that, he starred as Favorite Son in the first international tour of Green Day’s “American Idiot,” appearing on stage in the US, UK, Ireland, Wales, Japan, and South Korea and earning rave reviews everywhere.
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He made his off-broadway debut starring as Francesco in Axis Theatre’s musical, “Solitary Light.”
Young is also singing and writing songs with his very own rock band L.O.U.D.
Be sure to scroll down below to see the beautiful duet.
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Source: Jared Young via YouTube, AsAmNews, Broadway World, Yahoo News