Street Dancer Akai headlines at Redbridge College talent show

Ten-year old street dance champion Akai Osei wowed the crowds at the Redbridge College talent show this week (9 June).

The youngster, who shot to fame after winning Sky One’s Got to Dance competition, turned the tables as he acted as judge for the student acts, before taking to the stage himself.

Akai also presented the winning act, 16 year-old street dancer Caine Appleby, who was voted for by the audience, with his £50 cheque.

The night included an array of acts, from pop singing to opera singing, freestyle dancing to African and Caribbean dancing and even a saxophonist and poetry reading, culminating in a finale with all the acts performing a medley of songs together. The judges, made up of three members of staff from the college as well as Akai, gave feedback to each act after their performance.

Akai said, “I’m really excited to be here - I’ve been looking forward to being a judge, and I think my comments will help the students get even better. Competitions like this give them encouragement and I hope many of them will go on to take part in bigger events, like Britain’s Got Talent.

“Caine moves really smoothly, and the way he used the stage was amazing.”

Speaking about his new-found fame, Akai said, “It’s been really crazy – even having girls screaming my name. Everyone is congratulating me, even the headteacher at my school has been nice to me! Sometimes it’s been hard work, because I have to get up early and perform really well all the time, but I enjoy it.

“After I finish school I would like to go to a college like Redbridge, and then dance full-time, as a job.”

Talent show winner and catering student Caine said, “I thought the show went very well – the atmosphere in there was overwhelming. When I heard my name announced as the winner I was so surprised and just kept smiling.

“Akai was outstanding – I think his performance at the college was even better than his TV performance.”

Collections and ticket sales totalled over £300, which will go to help the people of Haiti, who are still rebuilding their lives five months after the earthquake which killed 230,000 people and affected over three million.

Akai added, “I heard the event was for Haiti and I wanted to help. They have nothing there now and all their houses are broken down - I think it’s really important to do everything you can to help other people.”