Bria Wiest has more than talent

Jeff Walker
Published: June 17, 2008

Culpeper is blessed.I have been lucky to have met or worked with some of our most precious blessings — the young people of Culpeper.

So, this summer, I’m going to give “shouts outs” to some unique young people who deserve recognition for stepping up and proving that there is hope for our future.

Later in the month, look for the hardest-working students (and maybe teacher) in Culpeper. Finally, I will feature a recap of the best film-festival I have ever attended — which was in my own classroom.

This week, we look at a petite young woman with some big dreams.

Going for the Big Time

At a glance, rising ninth grader Bria Shea Wiest is just another black-clad, bangs-down-the-face teen. That’s her uniform, in a world where school uniforms are dictated by social groups, not the school board.

At Floyd T. Binns, as a chorus student and drama kid, 13-year old Bria has had chances to shine.

She was a member of the 2008 Virginia middle school honors choir for the American Choral Directors Association. She was a frequent soloist in her school choirs, and took a leading role as Jo-Jo in “Seussical: The Musical.”

Bria eats, breathes and sleeps this stuff, but she really wanted to try for something bigger.

“She begged me to let her tryout for ‘American Idol,’” said Brit Berner, Bria’s mother.

However, she was too young to audition for “Idol.”

So mom looked into another network TV, reality-based talent showcase that had broader guidelines. Brit entered Bria into the running for “America’s Got Talent,” NBC’s successful talent showcase, which premiered in 2006.

Unlike “Idol,” “Talent” is a more inclusive contest, taking in not only singers, but also dancers, family acts, illusionists, ventriloquists and acrobats. Like AI, “Talent” features audience votes to decide the winner, along with a panel of celebrity judges.

Hosted by the witty and subdued Jerry Springer, the “Talent” panelists are Piers Morgan, Sharon Osbourne, and David Hasselhoff.

But before contestants get to see “The Hoff” in person, and wait on America to vote, they must audition first in front of casting directors and producers, away from the cameras and the scrutiny of millions.

In order to get an audition, prospective contestants can apply online or with a recording. Brit submitted both for Bria’s application, and she received a slot at the New York eliminations.

So that the news would be a surprise, Brit picked up Bria at school and told her daughter in front of her friends. (Cue the screaming and jumping up and down.)
The timing of her preliminary audition worked perfectly with her school choir trip to New York City. Bria’s grandparents — “Me-me” and “Pop Pop” Wiest — picked her up and took her to the audition.

Looking professional, Bria wore a dress and matching high heels to the audition. For her song, she chose Amy Grant’s, “That’s What Love is For.”

Will we see Bria Wiest on stage talking to Jerry Springer and taking advice from Piers, Sharon and “The Hoff?”

Not this time. She did the first round, but did not continue on to additional auditions for “America’s Got Talent.”

However, Bria is not like some of her peers. This 13-year old has a goal in sight and those who are lucky enough to know her know she is determined to go for it.

Bria will continue singing and performing as long as it takes.

What she wants more than anything is to be able to be successful as a singer so that she can afford to do what she really wants to be able to do: help people.

“I want to sing good enough to afford to help children in Africa” and become a trauma surgeon, said Bria.

Spoken like a true star.

Jeff Walker is an independent columnist who lives in Culpeper. He appears every other Wednesday in the Star-Exponent. E-mail