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Famous faces at Island idol

David Foster and Nelly Furtado judging competition featuring White Rock contestant

Two of Victoria’s best-known musical talents return to their hometown this weekend to judge the city’s latest singing competition – which includes a White Rock contestant – with the chance of welcoming its next superstar.

Producer David Foster and artist Nelly Furtado, both alumni of Mount Douglas Secondary School, are back as celebrity judges for Mount Doug Idol.

The talent show is the culmination of nine days of events hosted by the Mount Doug Alumni Association in honour of the school’s 80th anniversary.

More than 100 alumni – many living in other areas of Canada or the U.S. – applied in September to take part in the competition. A panel of local judges narrowed the field to 15 semi-finalists and then down to five finalists Nov. 2.

Justin Hewitt and Kale Penny of Victoria, Joni Anderson of White Rock, Amanda Wood of Vancouver and Cristine Seeber of California are now vying for the top spot.

Furtado and Foster, honorary president of the alumni association, will take the stage as well as participate in a pre-event social.

While there is no promise that the winner will get a record deal from the Grammy award-winning producer, Wendy Gedney, co-chair of  the anniversary celebrations, said the top vocalist will be rewarded with a trip from Air Canada and prizes from Tom Lee Music.

The competition was open to past and present staff and students of Mount Doug and its feeder schools.