A TEENAGE talent show addict from Ealing is hoping her biggest performance yet will steer her towards a £5,000 grand prize - and a career in music.

Tayah Julien, 15, who attends Drayton Manor High School, has reached the London West regional finals of Open Mic UK for the second year running and is determined to go one step further next month.

Though up against around 10,000 others from around the UK, Tayah says she hopes her natural drive and passion for music will shine through and help her emulate her musical heroes.

"I'd describe my style as R&B/Soul, and I am very technical about how music is created and performed," said Tayah.

"I am truly inspired by musicians Usher, Mary J Blige, Michael Jackson, Erykah Badu, and I love to watch Ciara and Beyonce perform."

Tayah won the singing category at the Ealing Talent Festival in 2007 and has since become involved in many music and performance contests, but Open Mic is the biggest so far.

Auditions for the regional finals are held before music industry judges, but going through means performing in front of around 600 excited audience members, as well as the panel. With support from, among others, her father Gavin, Tayah says she's not dwelling on reaching the national final but is determined to give it her all.

The Open Mic London & East Final is on Sunday, November 23 at the Beck Theatre, Grange Road, Hayes UB3 2UE.