Deven Tyler Brunsell of Brentwood is headed to Hollywood after winning a local Justin Bieber singing contest, but the eighth-grader hasn't let the success inflate his ego, his principal says.
"He's not a kid to ever brag about anything," says Lawrence Kushner, principal of Brentwood Middle School. "He's so talented. He is just very unassuming about it ... and never acts like he's bigger than anyone else."
Deven, 13, is headed on an expenses-paid trip to Los Angeles on Feb. 7 for the premiere of Bieber's movie, "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never."
But his trip might take an even more exciting turn. If the video of his audition gets more votes than the other four finalists this week, he will get a personal meet-and-greet with Bieber, and Deven can take three people on his trip instead of just one. Earlier this month, Deven won the local version of the national "Justin Bieber Wants You in His World Singing Challenge," held at Ross Park Mall with 50 teen contestants. He sang the song "Baby."
Was Deven surprised and thrilled by his win?
"Yeah," he says. "Really!"
"It's really a huge honor," Deven says. "I'm definitely ready. Los Angeles is, like, the most amazing place ever. I really want to experience what it's like there. ... I really like singing; it's been a passion my whole life and it's really got me going."
Deven -- son of Renee Rozzi and Lance Brunsell -- says he hopes to compete on "American Idol" when he is old enough; the minimum age is 15. Deven has a self-titled CD out, and hopes to make another soon, says his grandfather, Rocky Pascarella-Pandrock.
"He's focused," says Pascarella-Pandrock, of New Eagle, Washington County. "He wants to make this his career."
Deven has been singing for nine years at many places around Pittsburgh. He sang the National Anthem at the WPIAL Wrestling Championships and other events. Deven also won the St. Barnabas Charities' 2009 Kean Idol contest in Gibsonia, where he competed against Jackie Evancho, young soprano star of "America's Got Talent."
The girls in Deven's school are crazy about heartthrob Bieber, whom Deven admires because of his talent and style.
"He just has this cool style of music that he brings that is ... really popular to people," Deven says. "I like the way he sings. He brings a lot of vibes. He really sets the bar for a lot of things."
To view and vote on Deven's video, visit www.justinbieberneversaynever.com/regional.php. Voting ends at 5 p.m. Sunday.
By Kellie B. Gormly, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, January 28, 2011
