Fort Mill’s Got Talent Saturday

Fort Mill resident Kyle Bleau didn’t know he could sing until a few years ago.

Now, it’s all he wants to do.

Bleau, 24, found his vocal talent while goofing off with friends when he was 18 years old. One of his first performances was in Nation Ford High School’s production of “The Wizard of Oz” in 2009.

Since then, Blue has performed in both “Hairspray” and “Into the Woods” at Winthrop University, where he graduated with a degree in psychology.

“Singing is my outlet,” he said. “It calms me.”

Bleau said he mostly performs musical theater pieces, but also likes artists such as Michael Bublé. He takes those works and adds his unique flavor.

“I always make it my own,” Bleau said.

Bleau will come up with a spin on either a theatrical number or a Bublé piece for the Fort Mill’s Got Talent competition Saturday in the Fort Mill High School auditorium.

Proceeds from the competition will support the Fort Mill High School band’s $90,000 March to Normandy campaign for the band’s trip to France, where they have been invited to perform at the Normandy American Cemetery.

Bleau also taught himself how to play piano three years ago, a talent he continues to hone.

Bleau said he is taking this year to focus on building a music career, potentially as a cruise ship performer. He has auditioned for “The Voice,” “America’s Got Talent” and “American Idol” and tried out for a position with Royal Caribbean three times. Each audition, he said he gets closer to his goal.

“I know I will hear a lot of ‘no’s,’ but I will eventually get that ‘yes,’” Bleau said. “I will see where it takes me. If it is meant to happen, it will.”

Bleau said his mother has played a big part in his success.

“She’s brutally honest,” he said. “She’s one of my biggest supporters.”

The Fort Mill’s Got Talent competition is a chance for Bleau to share and hone his talent, he said. The singer said he hopes residents come out to support local artists.

“It’s going to be a really good show,” he said.

Bleau said he hopes to use his music to connect emotionally with others.

“I want to pull somebody into my little world,” he said.

If singing professionally does not work out, Bleau said he wants to be a school psychologist. For now though, he is focusing on a career on the stage.

“If I can make someone smile just by performing, then I am doing something right,” he said.

This story was originally published September 4, 2015 at 12:59 PM with the headline "Fort Mill’s Got Talent Saturday."