'It's surreal': Kingston, Ont. teen to sing the national anthem at the Raptors game Wednesday
A Kingston, Ont. teenager is getting another chance to live her dream as she is set to sing the national anthem before the crowd at a Toronto Raptors game.
Kyra Daniel, 13, has so far performed twice, impressing the crowd as she performed the Canadian and U.S. national anthems in front of thousands at Scotiabank Arena in April and November.
“It’s surreal, being able to walk out on the court. I was definitely shaking. I had this moment where I was like, ‘Oh my God, this is happening,’” she says of her performance.
On Wednesday, Daniel will be back to sing the anthems before the Raptors’ game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
It’s impressive at any age, but at just 13-years-old, the Kingston teen says she’s been told by the Raptors that she’s one of the youngest to sing at centre court.
“It’s just a great feeling,” says Daniel.
While this moment is a big one, Daniel is no stranger to the stage, having toured with Mini-Pop Kids, a young performing group that covers pop songs.
She also released her own music video this week for her single "Words Mean Something."
“I have a dream in life to be singer, songwriter, and business woman. That’s what I always tell people,” she says. “It’s my inspiration and motivation.”
Still, performing the national anthem is a dream come true for this Raptors fan.
“The games that I’ve seen, all the adults who are doing it, I’ve been like, ‘Dad, I want to be there. I want to sing in front of 20,000 people,’” she says. “And here I am and it’s so crazy!”
A bonus to booking the job is being near her favourite players. She says the team has been nothing but kind.
“One of my favourite players is Fred VanVleet, so that was really cool to see him,” she says. “It’s just the whole team. I love the whole team.”
The only thing she says could make this magic moment even better is the possibility of seeing Canadian rapper Drake.
“Imagine he heard me sing? I can’t even fathom that,” she says.
With at least two more performances lined up, she’s hopeful, but with or without the superstar in the stands, she’s ready to wow the crowd again.
“The atmosphere in Toronto in that arena is so amazing and it’s such a fun night,” she says “And I’m always with my dad. It’s so nice.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING NEWS Honda to get up to $5B in govt help for EV battery, assembly plants
Honda is set to build an electric vehicle battery plant next to its Alliston, Ont., assembly plant, which it is retooling to produce fully electric vehicles, all part of a $15-billion project that is expected to include up to $5 billion in public money.
BREAKING New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial
New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, finding the judge at the landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.
Residents of northern Alberta First Nation told to shelter in place
Residents of John D'Or Prairie, a community on the Little Red River Cree Nation in northern Alberta, were told to take shelter Thursday morning during a police operation.
Monthly earnings rise, payroll employment falls: jobs report
The number of vacant jobs in Canada increased in February, while monthly payroll employment decreased in food services, manufacturing, and retail trade, among other sectors.
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Secret $70M Lotto Max winners break their silence
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Metro Vancouver mayors call for serial killer Robert Pickton to be denied parole
A dozen mayors from around Metro Vancouver say federal Attorney General and Justice Minister Arif Virani should deny parole for notorious B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, and reassess the parole and sentencing system for 'prolific offenders and mass murderers.'