From Contestant to Judge: Rebecca Strong Uplifts Youth

A year after winning the grand prize on Canada’s Got Talent, Rebecca Strong has returned to singing competitions. But this time, Strong was on the other side of the judges’ table.

Strong, a Prince Albert native and member of Black Lake First Nation, was one of three judges at this year’s ‘Batoche Idol’ at the Back to Batoche festival.

“Being on the other side of the table is much less nerve wracking,” Strong told Eagle Feather News.

“Once you’ve been on the competitive side, you’re much less critical because you know what it feels like,” she said.

Strong, who won the million dollar prize in 2024 from Canada’s biggest talent show, joined the festivities at Batoche for the same reasons that she first auditioned for Canada’s Got Talent – to embrace her culture while inspiring young people.

“My entire journey was about inspiring the Indigenous youth, and this was one of the places I could share what I believe in,” said Strong.

“I want to show them that you don’t have to go far to accomplish your dreams. You can do it in your community, and still have so much fun and be around your family.”

Strong is no stranger to stages both big and small. During the pandemic, she was doing live virtual concerts from her bedroom, for sometimes less than ten people, she said. One of those live performances went viral, for a video of Strong singing Demi Lovato’s “Sober”, in which she suddenly had over 10,000 viewers.

“Both of those performances felt the same,” she said. “Music is music. I don’t really care where it is, as long as there’s people that want to listen to me, then I’m going to do it.”

Since Strong’s meteoric rise to success documented on Canada’s Got Talent, she has toured across Canada with her powerful voice. Those tours are distinct in their locations, as Strong makes it a priority to make stops in rural and remote communities. She recently completed an Athabasca tour, where she performed in small northern communities like Fond du Lac, Stony Rapids, and Uranium City.

“I don’t think you should have to leave your community to experience the things you enjoy. These things should be accessible to you always,” she said.

“The people in the northern communities have been so kind and thankful. They have the biggest hearts, brining me gifts (after a show).”

Strong is also finding other ways to break the mould of a typical young singer with near over-night success. She is pushing herself by speaking at conferences and events.

“When I was on (Canada’s Got Talent), a lot of people complimented the way I spoke, that I didn’t look nervous – but I was, my legs were shaking,” she said.

“Speaking is very different, it pushes me out of my comfort zone. The last speaking event, I was talking about strength and resilience against change, as I know all about this. My whole life changed in the span of four months.”

While speaking allows strong to share her unique perspective and experience, her heart still remains with music. She has used some of the prize money to purchase her own recording equipment, which has come in handy at the most unexpected times.

“The song I’m working on now is from a dream. I woke up in the middle of the night and had dreamt about a melody that I’ve never heard before,” said Strong.

“I recorded it, and began to write down lyrics. Then went back to sleep at 4:00 AM.”

Strong hopes this dream song becomes her first releases song, as it represents who she is and where she came from.

“It’s about not knowing what’s going to happen tomorrow, but still being able to enjoy life,” she said.

“Through everything, I want the youth around me to see their potential, and be inspired to chase their dreams as well.”