By Julian Walker
Times Staff Writer
Some moms and dads — not many, but some — force their kids into music and dance lessons, even modeling classes at a young age hoping that the early exposure to the arts will lead to stardom and a big Hollywood payday.
These overzealous folks, who live vicariously through the exploits of their children, are called “show biz parents” in some circles.
A similar phenomena exists with youth sports, too, with moms and dads hoping their kid will be a millionaire sports star one day.
Nine-year old Bianca Ryan of Mayfair dances, sings, models and acts, but her parents aren’t the ones holding the reins on her budding career.
Instead it is their precocious daughter, one of four children in the family, who pulls her mom and dad along like a frisky dog on a leash who smells a bone nearby.
That nose landed her a spot in the WOGL Oldies 98.1 recent Kidz Idol contest. Three elimination rounds later, Bianca challenged five other finalists on Sunday afternoon at Franklin Mills mall. At the end of the day, Bianca was declared the winner on the strength of a stirring rendition of Aretha Franklin’s Natural Woman.
Thanks to the victory, the Ryans will soar to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., on the wings of Bianca’s overpowering vocals. Actually, they’ll fly on Southwest Airlines, but Bianca won them the trip.
And to think it all began with a single audition.
Shawn and Janette Ryan knew their daughter was talented. She had begged to take dance lessons since age 3, which they obliged.
That led to some serendipitous modeling work — a few photos of Bianca sporting the latest tutus made their way into some national dance clothing catalogues.
A few years later they realized she could sing too, after hearing her belt out tunes in harmony with what was playing on the car radio.
So Bianca was enrolled in singing lessons, again at her request.
Still it was all an afterthought to the Ryans, just them being supportive parents, indulging their child in what they thought would be fleeting interests.
At the suggestion of her vocal coach, the Ryans traveled to an open audition in New York City for the revival of the television talent show Star Search in November 2002.
Dad Shawn had few expectations, thinking the trip was just a formality to indulge his daughter, who, at age 8 proclaimed “she wanted to be on Star Search,” and her vocal coach, who claimed she had the goods.
Imagine his surprise when the audition judges — a collection of talent agents and television executives, gushed about his daughter’s voice, going so far as to call the Ryans’ home phone later that same day before dad and his little girl had even driven back to Philly.
It was the first of many calls.
Since then, say the Ryans, they’ve been flooded with phone calls from entertainment managers, agents, casting directors and the like, all inquiring about their daughter. According to the family, a top-flight music industry executive is already talking about signing their girl to a recording contract.
Apparently word about her soaring voice sounded quickly.
“After she was seen at the Star Search audition, we started getting a lot of phone calls,” said Shawn Ryan.
As if on cue, the phone rang in the background. Mom Janette rushed to answer it. The caller was a talent agent offering his services, she reported as she returned to the living room. But they haven’t signed anything yet because the Ryans don’t want to wrap their lives up in promoting their daughter.
“We’re still just learning about the business ourselves,” said Shawn. “So I try to keep a balance in her life and turn stuff down.”
And it’s not just the phone that is tied up.
When not doing homework, “skateboarding, playing with (her) brothers and sisters and drawing,” Bianca spends time on the home computer, surfing the Internet for open auditions and casting calls.
To date, Bianca has auditioned for several “big Broadway shows” in New York City, said her dad. She’s received several call-backs but no official job offers in the theater.
But her talent has wowed producers.
On one occasion, Bianca auditioned for a role in the Lion King, not knowing the part called for a black child. Despite the obvious racial difference — the girl has alabaster skin, flowing reddish-brown hair and blue-green eyes — producers called her back for another look-see based solely on the power of her pipes.
Meanwhile, she has acted in local productions, will appear along with her 4-year old sister Isabella in a television commercial for the Philadelphia Zoo and has sang the national anthem at sporting events.
And then there’s Star Search.
Her talent, but not her age, qualified her for the show when she first auditioned. Of the more than 75,000 youngsters who auditioned, Bianca was one of the few who made the cut.
Producers of the program maintained contact with the family and invited Bianca back when she turned 9.
In January she performed on the show, losing narrowly to another young female singer.
When asked about the defeat, Shawn Ryan good-naturedly responded: “It’s a show; that’s all I can say.”
Despite that one loss, things seem to be progressing nicely for the Ryan clan. When Bianca isn’t booked at a big venue, she and her brother Shawn, 12, do a combined music/magic act at senior homes and children’s hospitals.
Saturday mornings are hectic for the Ryans, between singing and dance lessons for Bianca, and youth athletics for Shawn, so there isn’t a moment to spare.
But the Ryans aren’t complaining. Rather, they are amazed at their good fortune; they have a house full of healthy, happy kids who love life.
“Everything she said, every dream she had, she’s accomplished a nine,” marveled mom Janette of her oldest daughter.
Not quite everything.
When she was young, Bianca “wanted to be a princess.” Now, she declares, “I want to be a famous singer.”
At one time her parents thought both were out of reach.
Now they think she might just make it to recording royalty, even if she never is a blue blood.
“She has a better chance at that,” her dad said of a singing career. ••
Reporter Julian Walker can be reached at 215-354-3038 or jwalker@phillynews.com