Portsmouth singer Nevaeh joins Paul Reid Foundation judging panel ahead of new single release
The Portsmouth singer will become a talent judge later this week
Seventeen year old Portsmouth artist Nevaeh is stepping into the judges seat this week, joining an experienced line-up of music and broadcasting professionals for the Paul Reid Foundation’s Talent Showdown in Birmingham.
The rising singer has been invited to judge the competition at The Birdcage in Harborne on Thursday 17 September, alongside a panel whose collective credits include working with some of the biggest names in British and international music.
Among her fellow judges are acclaimed session drummer Carlos Hercules, who has performed and toured with artists including Beverley Knight, Leona Lewis, Sister Sledge, George Michael, Jimmy Cliff and Kelly Clarkson, and musical director and producer Mark Walker, whose career has included work with Beverley Knight, Kelly Rowland, CeeLo Green, Westlife, Corinne Bailey Rae, Gloria Gaynor and The Jacksons.
The panel also includes Nikki Tapper MBE, the much loved West Midlands broadcaster and community champion who spent more than two decades with BBC WM, and Birmingham born keyboardist, musical director and bandleader Chris Trotman.
For Nevaeh, finding herself on the judging panel alongside names with decades of experience in the music and broadcasting industries is something she is still taking in.
“It’s honestly unbelievable at my age to be judging alongside such world-class talent, whose portfolios are jaw dropping! The Paul Reid Foundation means a lot to me because of the opportunities it creates for young artists, and I’m so honoured to be part of a foundation that supports and helps nurture the next generation of talent."
Despite being just 17, the Portsmouth singer has performed at Wembley Arena and has appeared alongside artists including Beverley Knight, Sam Bailey and Matt Goss, while her original music has already reached listeners in more than 50 countries.
Her relationship with the Paul Reid Foundation also makes Thursday's invitation particularly meaningful. Nevaeh previously performed at the Foundation's inaugural ball and has remained a passionate supporter of its work and the opportunities it creates for developing musicians.
The judging appearance comes just eight days before another important moment for the young artist.
On Friday 25 September, Nevaeh will release her new single, Need You On My Mind, created with Portsmouth based ChartHouse Studios, where the track has been recorded, produced, mixed & mastered ahead of its worldwide release.
The new single continues Nevaeh's development as an original recording artist and follows a remarkable period that has seen the teenager move between major stages, original releases and now a place on the other side of the judging table.
Her invitation to the Talent Showdown is particularly fitting - while Nevaeh will be helping to recognise the potential of other performers on Thursday night, she remains a young artist building an exciting career of her own.
Need You On My Mind by Nevaeh will be released on Friday 25 September 2026.