Top Talent LIVE 2026 is going to be held on April 25, 2026, in the Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Top Talent is a Live OCPS event Known for producing performers who have gone on to excel on the national stage. Yug Patel, a senior at University High School has made it as a Finalist. He is also a member of many clubs at UHS such as Asian Student Association, Green Team and a part of our IB program.
Q:Why did you want to audition for Top Talent? How did you conclude you were really going to do it?
A: I decided to audition for the fun of it. I was participating in different auditions for different projects and made it through multiple rounds but not the final cut. But, it wasn’t a big deal to be cut as it was all just for fun. My expectation was that I was not going to become a finalist but I tried just for fun.
Q:What was the biggest challenge you faced so far, How did you overcome it?
A: The biggest challenge was the creation of the choreography as I was having multiple blocks of what to do. This led to some moves being repeated in my performance however, the repetition makes the performance better as it makes it look cohesive rather than it seeming like I’m just spamming moves. Sometimes, you adapt to a challenge rather than trying to overcome it as a whole.
Q:What is the best piece of advice that you have ever been given? How did it influence you?
A: The best piece of advice is to just be yourself. It’s really basic but many don’t follow it. I think you should be proud of what you have done and what you have done for so long that it is a positive thing for you and others. For me, dancing and being an energetic person was something I was proud to showcase & I would not mask to appear “cool.”
Q:When you found out you were a finalist what did that mean for you?
A: I’m still processing that I am a finalist and I will continue to be shocked. It’s an honor to have such an opportunity and this is the first time I made it past an audition. I hope that this opportunity will provide me with insightful experience and more connections.
Q:How do you plan on preparing for the finale? What mindset are you going in with?
A: For preparing for the show, I took into the celebrity judges feedback and I plan on refining the dance so it shows some emotional variety & it’s cleaner. I’m truly just going with the flow & I am going in without any stress but having fun.
