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Teen making cut in Cyrus contest

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By WALT BELCHER

wbelcher@tampatrib.com

Published: October 24, 2009

TAMPA - Ciara Johnson is a big Miley Cyrus fan who wants to pursue a singing career.

The soft-spoken Carrollwood teenager could move closer to that dream if she wins a recording contract in a contest sponsored by the "Hannah Montana" star.

Johnson, 15, has been the front-runner in the nearly yearlong "Are You a Superstar?" contest that began with more than 7,000 entries. She now is one of six finalists; the final four will be announced soon.

"Just to get this far is amazing and it shows that Ciara has talent," said her mother, Rita Dillard.
Dillard and her home-schooled daughter have submitted five music videos to mileycyrus.com during the course of the competition. Most were filmed in the family kitchen, some with Johnson playing guitar.

The most recent, of her singing "Come Together" by The Beatles, was posted on the fan site this week.

Visitors to the Web site can vote on their favorite through Sunday, said Dillard, who is encouraging family, friends and supporters to vote at www.mileycyrus.com/be-a-star.

Johnson's previous videos were: "The Voice Within" by Christina Aguilera; "Butterfly Fly Away" and "Hoedown Throwdown," both by Cyrus; and "Human Nature" by Michael Jackson.

"It's been a challenge because we are doing it all ourselves with a little hand-held Sony camera that Ciara won in a talent contest," Dillard said. "And some of the girls have professional help."

For her efforts, Johnson has received two VIP tickets to Cyrus' concert at the St. Pete Times Forum on Dec. 1.

She opened for "Hannah Montana" co-star Mitchel Musso at his Oct. 15 concert in Jupiter. It was her first performance before a large audience - more than 1,000 fans.

Johnson, an R&B fan who has been singing since age 7, is excited about meeting Cyrus and finding out whether she makes the final four.

"I love music and I enjoy singing even if it's just for myself and my friends" she said.

Reporter Walt Belcher can be reached at (813) 259-7654.

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