by Kelsey Klassen, Abbotsford News
Abbotsford high-school student and Warner Music recording artist Victoria Duffield’s debut single Shut Up and Dance reached top spot on MuchMusic’s countdown on Jan. 19.
Duffield, attending a singing lesson at the time, couldn’t watch the results as they were revealed live.
“My mom called me. I had my phone right beside me when she told me ‘You haven’t been called and Katy Perry is number two.”’
She listened as her video started playing over the phone.
“I was shocked ... I honestly had never imagined it would hit number one with Katy Perry coming up behind me. Number 29 the first time it was on there, I never thought it would get there. It’s such an honour that so many fans like your video.”
She celebrated the unexpected result in Abbotsford with a small gathering of her circle of dance friends and people she credits with helping her get to this point.
In the middle of writing exams for courses at Yale Secondary, the Grade 11 student said that sometimes the stress level gets high, but that her mother helps her keep everything organized and her school is supportive.
“It’s balancing different mindsets. In Toronto I’m focused on music videos, rehearsals, interviews, then it’s coming home and switching brains because I have three units of math to figure out,” she laughed.
With another year of school on the horizon, Duffield says she plans to finish strongly and then focus on singing and touring.