Lantzville鈥檚 Raymond Salgado will perform for the finale of Canada鈥檚 Got Talent as the only British Columbian to make the cut.

The 24-year-old singer was announced as one of eight final contestants on the national reality talent show this morning, May 11, during a live broadcast of CityTV鈥檚 Breakfast Television.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a dream come true. I鈥檓 so honoured,鈥� Salgado said. 鈥淚 feel like I鈥檓 repping Vancouver Island, British Columbians, the Filipino community and the LGBTQ-plus.鈥�

On the show鈥檚 Tuesday, May 9, episode, the singer performed Michael Bubl茅鈥檚 Feeling Good and received another standing ovation from the audience. Judges Lilly Singh, Kardinal Offishall and Trish Stratus expressed their awe over his dynamic vocal range and command of the stage, though Howie Mandel said he felt it was 鈥渞eally schmaltzy,鈥� although did add that Salgado is an amazing singer.

Salgado said he appreciated the critique, and for his next performance he intends to return to his roots as a ballad singer and deliver a song that 鈥渉its really close.鈥�

鈥淚 think I did the best that I could on that stage and I wanted to show my versatility as an artist 鈥� I鈥檓 someone who is very reserved 鈥� but I think this was a way for me to break out of my shell and try something and 鈥� express myself in different ways 鈥� not just vulnerability but also having a fun side, too,鈥� he said, adding that he doesn鈥檛 get the chance to wear sequin often.

As to why he thinks viewers voted him in, the singer said he believes his resilience and fight to overcome past rejection connected with the vast majority of people.

鈥淚鈥檓 just so grateful that it was well-reciprocated in the community, because that鈥檚 what I was more concerned about 鈥� And I think people can see that I鈥檓 a fighter.鈥�

Salgado will battle it out with Canada鈥檚 Got Talent鈥檚 remaining contestants, including magician Atsushi Ono, dance act Cool Giraffes, 鈥渘ovelty act鈥� Genevi猫ve C么te, dance crew the Cast, dance act Conversion, singers and musicians the Turnbull Brothers and singer-musician Meave, during the finale Tuesday, May 16, at the OLG Stage in the Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort. Viewers can vote online at starting at 5 p.m. PST.

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mandy.moraes@nanaimobulletin.com
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