Meet Matthew Boutros, 19, winner of The Shot singing contest prize valued at $25,000

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Meet Matthew Boutros, a 19-year-old from Ottawa, who beat out some 200 contestants in a little-known singing competition in Kitchener, Ont., for a shot at recording a debut single.

Boutros sang a rendition of Queen’s Somebody To Love last Saturday, beating out seven other finalists to clinch the top spot in the season 4 finale of The Shot.

“When they said my name, I was just absolutely taken aback and completely shocked. I don’t even have the words to explain the excitement that was going through my mind in that moment,” Boutros said in an interview with the Citizen.

The Shot, a local singing competition one could compare to Canadian Idol and other reality TV competition shows, describes itself as “mentorship-based vocal talent search focused on providing emerging talent with opportunitites for professional development.”


The grand prize, worth an estimated $25,000, includes a one-time worldwide distribution deal with Entertainment One Music and the opportunity to record at Toronto’s award-winning Metalworks studios, where Drake, Justin Bieber and other best-selling artists made big names for themselves.

It will also give Boutros the chance to record a music video with Esteemedia Productions in the Waterloo region and one-on-one face time with an agent from The Feldman Agency, which has represented artists like The Tragically Hip, Nelly Furtado and Carly Rae Jepsen.

Jepsen, most famously known for her best-selling single Call Me Maybe, placed third in Canadian Idol season 5’s competition in 2007. The Juno-nominated singer will be performing on Parliament Hill this New Year’s eve.

The Shot‘s prize has the potential to launch Boutros’ career, something that isn’t lost on the teen, who until now has been working as a waiter at Swiss Chalet.

“Studio time is extremely expensive, but now with this opportunity, I get to go to one of the most prestigious studios in Toronto,” Boutros said.

He will also have the chance to attend Canadian Music Week in Toronto next April 18-22 where he will not only rub elbows with the best in the business, but also have a chance to perform.

“The prize is just incredible.”

Liberal MP for Waterloo Bardish Chagger, who attended Saturday’s finale, took to social media to congratulate Boutros.

“Enjoyed performances from all the contestants competing on The Shot. Congrats Matthew Boutros on winning the top prize!,” Chagger said in a post on Twitter.


Enjoyed performances from all the contestants competing on @singfortheshot. Congrats @BoutrosMatthew on winning the top prize! #theshots4 pic.twitter.com/pAG7DlK9n4

— Bardish Chagger (@BardishKW) November 27, 2016


Boutros will work under the guidance of C.J. Allen, executive producer and one of four judges on The Shot. Allen, 31, is also the creator of Top Talent, a competition for English speaking performers in South Korea.

“They’ve given me a few days off, but I need to get back to work.”

“I need to get a website up for myself, I need some business cards, I need to start writing more of my own music, meeting with producers, other songwriters …” Boutros said.

Boutros said he didn’t start off the singing competition as a shoe-in.

During his first audition, three of the four judges, including Allen, did not vote for him.

“I received four No’s and one Yes. The one Yes was from Nadia Mazzorolo. She saved me and put me through to the next round.”

Boutros said he eventually won over the rest of the judges, but credits Mazzorolo with giving him that initial chance at winning.

“That was my shot.”

It’s not everyday that a 19-year-old chooses to sing a song by Queen.

Boutros, who loves Freddy Mercury, said his musical taste was influenced by what he heard at home growing up.

“My parents played that music when I was younger, it really had a big influence.”

“I love all of the oldies, the goodies,” he said.

Boutros also credited his family and friends with helping him to get where he is today.

“My parents, my mom, all of my family has been so supportive … selling tickets to my shows, just helping me and accepting me for who I am.”

Asked if he had any advice for other young aspiring singers, Boutros said: “Always go with your gut and never be scared to be who you want to be.”

“And sing your bloody heart out!”

Season 4 of The Shot will be released online in early 2017.

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