TORONTO — If you haven’t heard of Austin Mahone, you’re probably not a teenage girl or gay boy, the parent of one, or someone who hangs out with one.
In only three years — and without releasing an album — he’s amassed nearly 3 million followers on both Twitter and Facebook and earned a spot as opening act on superstar Taylor Swift’s Red tour. His YouTube channel, with more than 518,000 subscribers, has had 100 million views.
On Friday, the 17-year-old star is expected to cause a fan frenzy when he drops by the storefront studio of Global’s The Morning Show in downtown Toronto.
Comparisons to a certain Canadian pop star are to be expected — and not only because of the bangs and slick dance moves. Like Justin Bieber, Mahone parlayed YouTube visibility into global fame.
One has “beliebers,” one has “mahomies.” And both are prone to posting photos online that showcase their hairless chests and rippled abs.
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Watch the video for Austin’s new single at the bottom of this story!
Texas-born Mahone developed his online following when he started posting videos on YouTube in the summer of 2010. Two years later, he was signed to a record deal and his singles “11:11” and “Say Somethin'” hit the charts.
Music industry mogul (and one-time American Idol judge) Kara DioGuardi told the Hollywood Reporter Mahone’s strength is his ability to connect with an audience.
“People feel attached to him because he’s so genuine. He lets them into his bedroom and talks to them in his videos,” she said. “When you see him perform, it’s like he’s singing to you.”
In interviews, Mahone seems to take the Bieber comparisons in stride.
“It’s cool you know, he’s very successful, it’s very flattering,” he told EntertainmentWise. “But you know I want people to give me a chance as my own artist you know to see me as me. I want to be just as successful, I want to be on the same level as him someday.”
Austin Mahone appears Friday at 9:00 a.m. (10 a.m. Atlantic) on The Morning Show on Global.
Check out the video for Austin Mahone’s single “What About Love” below:
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