Twenty-two-year-old Matthew Berry, a Hartbeespoort musician, actor and cancer survivor, is off to New York in a few months to perform at the International Arts Talent Showcase and he is hungry for success.
Matthew is a visual artist, actor, singer and model and was invited to the international showcase after he auditioned for Arts Talent Showcase Africa.
“This is something I have been dreaming of and now a dream is coming true. I always give it my all, and I believe good things are to come,” he says.
Matthew finished school at Pecanwood College and then studied graphic design at the Marbella Design Academy in Spain. While planning his future, he was diagnosed with bladder cancer three years ago. “It was a terrible shock. It is extremely rare for a young person to get this type of cancer. I did not give up, I stayed positive and went through the treatment. I spent a lot of time with other cancer patients in the hospital and I always tried to be a breath of fresh air. These encounters humbled me, as well as motivated me. When I went into remission two years ago, I know I had to really live. I felt blessed with a second life, and I was not going to waste it.”
Matthew switched from graphic arts to something more expressive – music and drama. “I have a music background, I took music lessons and played professionally in a Marimba band. I am currently releasing a hip-hop single called ‘Good man’. I decided to audition for the Arts Talent Showcase Africa, but in order to apply I had to join a talent agency. And this is where the acting and rest started.”
The talent agency encouraged him to branch out and before he knew it, he got roles in a soapie and a well-known liquor advertisement. “And then I thought, why not try modelling as well… Before I knew it things were speeding up and now I get work all the time. I feel truly blessed,” he says.
Being invited to the International Arts Talent Showcase in July is a huge opportunity, he believes. “This is one giant hotspot for agents to find talent. This is where Netflix, Disney, Idols and major record labels go. It is an opportunity of a lifetime.”
To prepare for the showcase, Matthew will be attending training camps and working as a model and actor. “I am also going a bit earlier because I am meeting agents before the showcase. I am dedicating my whole life to this, I don’t want to do anything else. Things are happening fast now. I dreamt about it and now it is becoming reality. It is great!”