Contestants vying to become the next Much Music VJ, including two Ottawa natives, competed in an elimination challenge in Ottawa’s ByWard Market on Sunday.
The stop in Ottawa was part of a cross-country bus tour that began on March 25 in Vancouver.
“It has been the best experience of my life,” said contestant and Ottawa native Ryan Pownall.
He, along with and Junior Mbeng, also from Ottawa, had two separate tents as part of the elimination challenge aimed at creating hype around the Much Music Video Awards in June.
“This competition has been an amazing opportunity,” Mbeng said. ”I was able to go to cities I never imagined I’d be, I was able to meet new people, I was able to expand my knowledge about music about different characteristics of broadcasting.”
Other contestants quickly made their pitch as to why they should be the next VJ.
“I think I am fun, I think I'm nice to look at and I just feel like I have energy and bring something new to Much, something fresh,” said Boe Vyntage.
“Kids go through so much these days and to be able to be on a platform like MuchMusic, to have a positive influence on these kids and talk about music on a day to day basis is just a dream come true,” said Chloe Wilde.
The competition on George Street drew a large crowd of spectators.
“I think it's great, it's a little bit of publicity for the city and it's great for the kids you know they're having fun and they're being themselves,” said Bob Wojcik.
The group’s next stop is Toronto. The winner will be announced on April 26.
With a report from CTV Ottawa’s Katie Griffin
