He can sing! Chesapeake native wins VH1 contest

[MickBeth]

After six weeks of competing against a field that included actress Morgan Fairchild, model Kim Alexis and former world heavyweight champion Larry Holmes, Michael Copon of Chesapeake emerged the winner of “But Can They Sing?” on VH 1.

In Sunday night’s finale, the actor finished ahead of Carmine Gotti Agnello of the reality show “Growing Up Gotti” in a vote of VH 1 viewers. Fairchild came in third.

Copon said he’s donating the $50,000 prize money to the Shaken Baby Syndrome Alliance of Fort Worth, Texas.

Copon established himself in prime time last season as the character Felix on the WB series “One Tree Hill.” Copon, 23, broke into television four years ago as Blue Ranger Lucas Kendall in “Power Rangers: Time Force.”

While appearing on “But Can They Sing?,” Copon commuted to Los Angeles from Hawaii where he’s taping a series for Noggin, a channel for young viewers.

His previous singing experience was in a church choir in Deep Creek, he said.

“It was hard work,” he said of preparing to sing before a national TV audience. Copon said he worked with a voice coach provided by the producers.

At times, his voice gave out in rehearsals. He appeared in top form in the finals when he went against Agnello and Fairchild.

“I stepped it up a notch,” he said.

In addition to Copon, Agnello, Fairchild, Alexis and Holmes, other celeb nonsingers who set out to prove they can carry a tune were actors Joe Pantoliano, Anthony Sabato Jr. and Bai Ling and broadcast journalist Myrka Dellanos.

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