The main event for GBC Got Talent 2023 was held at the Kings Lounge on Nov. 23 at the St. James campus.  

Sowbarnika Venkataraman Muthukumar, a student in digital media marketing, took first place with a beatbox performance, winning the $500 prize.   

Muthukumar’s beatbox performance, which involved engagement from the audience, left the judges thoroughly impressed.  

“It feels super surreal because this is my first performance in Canada. I’ve been a performer for four and a half years now,” said Muthukumar. 

The event ran from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in front of a panel of judges that consisted of past winners and Student Association staff.  

The night was filled with over 20 performances from students across all backgrounds and majors ranging from musical performances to cultural dances and an impressive video game demonstration. 

Families and classmates came in support of the performers. Refreshments were offered between performances and audience members also had the opportunity to participate in quizzes to win tickets for upcoming GBC events.  

Ava Proskos, a student from the social service worker program won second place ($300) with a singing performance. 

“I love the energy and everything that happened at the talent show. I want to get more involved with the school, I’m on the women’s basketball team so I said I wanted to be more involved,” Proskos said. 

The third-place winner was Ragini Malik, a student from the event planning program. 

Malik showcased a cultural dance performance, winning $200. She shared her satisfaction in being able to perform a cultural dance form in front of the GBC community.  

“This particular dance form, it doesn’t get a lot of appreciation [or] recognition. I was skeptical about it, but it came out good. The last time I performed was more than a year ago. It felt like an opportunity to polish my skills,” Malik said.  

Ragini Malik showcased a cultural dance at GBC Got Talent 2023.

The SA has been organizing the talent competition as an annual event for more than 16 years.  

Neil Cumberbatch, senior recreation coordinator said, “Overall, I think the event went well. This was the first time since before the pandemic to hold the GBC Got Talent event at St James Campus. GBC Got Talent is always a great way for us to showcase the student diversity at George Brown.”  

GBC Got Talent 2022 was held at the Casa Loma campus before the reopening of St. James 200 King. St building after the fire.