Windsorite makes MuchMusic VJ Search top 40

by Sean Previl

A Windsorite is getting the chance to have her name nationally known as she competes for a job with MuchMusic Canada.

Lauren West was announced as part of the top 40 for MuchMusic’s VJ Search 2013 the week of March 11.

“The best part about this (competition) is being that much closer to my job that I’ve wanted for years now,” said West.

West said even if she doesn’t make the top 20 or win the competition it’s a learning experience.

“If I don’t make it I’ll take this learning experience and maybe apply it to a job in the future,” said West.

West’s father Peter said he’s excited for what West might get from the competition if she makes it to the next round.

“We hope she can get into the top 20 so she can live a little bit more and see a little bit of Canada,” said Peter.

Those who make the top 20, which will be announced the week of March 25, will enter the reality show portion of the competition and complete challenges in a road trip across Canada.

“The top 20 will be travelling and living on (a) tour bus starting in Vancouver and going across the country,” said Lauren Toyota, host of the competition and a VJ at MuchMusic. “Then each stop we’re going to have various challenges and eliminations.”

Toyota said the challenges will test the competitors on skills including interviewing, public speaking and creating a brand for themselves.

“Here you’re not even looking at someone who’s ever been on TV or has been practicing to be on TV,” said Toyota. “It’s just taking someone that’s got so much energy and personality that needs to be shared with an audience.”

West said she hopes to be the winner when the competition ends.

“It’s probably the most wanted job in Canada,” said West. “I would love to move to the city. I mean, from Windsor it seems like everybody wants to move out at some point. I’m a city girl and I’ve been to Toronto numerous times and I’d love to live there.”

Voting for the top 20 ends March 24. To vote for West, visit the VJ search website at www.muchmusic.com/vjsearch/.