Winner of 2015 ABC Discovers: Digital Talent Competition Announced

Following a two week nationwide search that garnered submissions from actors across the United States, Samuel Adegoke has been named the 2015 winner of the ABC Discovers: Digital Talent Competition, it was announced today by Keli Lee, Executive Vice President Casting and Talent, ABC Entertainment. Adegoke, who was born in Lagos, Nigeria and now resides in Los Angeles, will receive a one-year $25,000 talent deal with ABC and a spot in the 2015 New York or Los Angeles ABC Discovers: Talent Showcase. Visit ABCDiscovers.com to view Adegoke's reaction to the news, his digital submission and video of the six other finalists.

Lee said, "We are excited to announce that Samuel Adegoke is the winner of the ABC Discovers: Digital Talent Competition. Amongst the more than 7,000 submissions, Samuel's performance and potential stood out. We look forward to working with him during the Talent Showcase and finding opportunities for him on ABC."

"I'm feeling such an overwhelming sense of abundance and gratitude right now," said Adegoke. "So many actors work so hard and have to take such a leap of faith to pursue this dream. To be chosen is amazing. I'm so grateful for the whole experience."

To enter, actors were asked to create a video performing one of the comedy or drama scenes posted on the website and were judged on quality of performance, technical skill set and potential star power. Other finalists include: Roland Buck III (Dallas), Sandra Hinojosa (Detroit), Lana McKissack (Los Angeles), Brandon Hawk Modelo (Antioch, Calif.), Benita Krista Nall (Palo Alto, Calif.) and Omari Wallace (East Point, Ga.).

ABC Discovers: Digital Talent Competition (previously known as ABC Make Me A Star) is now in its third year. Last year's winners were Khalilah Joi Dubose (Hampton, Virginia) and Cornelius Smith Jr. (Detroit, Michigan). After winning, Smith Jr. went on to land a series regular role on the ABC hit drama "Scandal" as neighborhood activist Marcus Walker.

Now in its 14th year, the ABC Discovers: Talent Showcase in Los Angeles and New York continues to serve as a launching pad for discovering new talent, including Academy-Award® winning actress Lupita Nyong'o of "12 Years a Slave," Gina Rodriguez, 2015 Golden Globe Winner for Best Actress in a Comedy, "Jane The Virgin," Chadwick Boseman of "Black Panther" and "42," Randall Park of "Fresh Off The Boat," Jesse Williams, of "Grey's Anatomy," and "Dancing with the Stars" judge Carrie Ann Inaba. The Showcase is a rigorous audition and rehearsal process in which ABC Casting executives work with the actors to put on a one night live performance, industry only event, where more than 400 producers, agents, casting directors and entertainment executives attend. Following the Showcase, ABC Casting continues to champion and work with the actors throughout the next year by providing mentorship and acting opportunities on television. To date, 34 talent showcases in LA and New York have been produced, and ABC Casting has mentored nearly 500 actors.

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