The secret is out.
Red Deer’s Kyle Whitehead has made it to the top 20 of MuchMusic’s new VJ search.
He learned on Thursday, March 21, that he was part of the reality show that would see him try to outwit and outplay other contestants vying for the music host job.
The 24-year-old graphic designer and marketing specialist gave his employer one day notice that he was going on “this sporadic trip.”
“Friday morning I was out of the office, packing up and getting my belongings together and Monday morning I was in Vancouver,” said Whitehead from Banff.
He also told his family immediately when he got word.
But friends had to wait until Wednesday, when he was given the go-ahead.
Whitehead, who travelled with his punk-rock band Run Romeo Run to Toronto to take part in Canadian Music Week leading up to the prestigious Juno Awards in 2012, is excited about the new opportunity.
“There were 600-some applicants who applied for this thing and now it’s down to 20,” said Whitehead.
“It’s so intense and full of drama. It’s stiff competition.”
Chosen with the help of fans, the top 20 face a series of challenges on the road to prove they have what it takes to become a Much VJ. Kicking off in Vancouver, the tour bus rolls through eight Canadian cities, seeing contestants face the first-ever series of road eliminations.
It goes through Banff, Calgary, Regina, Winnipeg, Ottawa and Toronto. Filming began on Monday.
“We had a 14-hour drive to Banff (on Wednesday) ... and we keep trekking east,” said Whitehead. “We go through these challenges and we interview people and whoever drops the ball gets let go by the producer on site.”
Whitehead said if someone is eliminated, it happens on the spot and the person is driven to the airport and flown home.
He came into this show thinking he was social and a Type A personality. But he said he’s learning there are some people in the competition who are way more bubbly and sporadic.
“I’m almost taking the role of being the guy in the middle,” said Whitehead.
Besides Whitehead, the only other Albertan is Madison Pinder of Calgary.
Public voting comes back into play when they hit the top 10 finalists, he added.
“I would encourage all of Central Alberta to back me and tune into the show and vote when that time comes,” said Whitehead.
The finalists for the MUCH VJ Search will be featured in the reality TV show, hosted by Lauren Toyota, starting on Monday at 4 p.m. MDT and air every Monday to Friday on MUCH.
For all the gossip from the tour, go on facebook.com/GarnierCanada & @GarnierCAN on Twitter. People can check out www.muchmusic.com/vjsearch.
The winner is announced on April 26.
ltester@www.reddeeradvocate.com