Whippany man enters FOX singing competition

HANOVER Singer Dudley Alexander Duverne may have had his big break… but he isn’t allowed to talk about it just yet.

Duverne, 24, of Whippany, will appear Saturday as a contestant on FOX 5 New York’s “Star of the Day” broadcast at 5:30 p.m., a musical talent competition hosted by longtime TV news anchor Ernie Anastos.

Durverne will perform the song “Sugar” by Maroon 5 on the prerecorded show, and while he’s not allowed to say how he did until after it airs Saturday, he said he’s pleased with his performance.

Duverne’s singing career received a boost earlier this year when he was named a finalist in a search of underground artists to open the 2015 Grammy Awards on CBS.

“That started to get me recognized,” said Duverne who has also auditioned for NBC’s “The Voice.”

For his singing career, Duverne said he’s following in the footsteps of his late uncle, Rigaud Duverne, a famous Haitian gospel singer.

“I’ve been trying to recreate his energy with my music,” Duverne said. “My whole family is musically oriented. My father plays every wind instrument known to man.”

In addition to singing, Duverne is the founder of Muziqnation Music Group, an entertainment company featuring local models and photographers.

Duverne, a marketing analyst for a pharmaceutical company in Cedar Knolls, is also a songwriter in his free time and has submitted his work to well-known artists.

He hopes “Star of the Day” will open more doors for him.

“I see this show as an opportunity to release my story,” Duverne said. “A lot of people look at me as just the nephew of my uncle.”

People can follow Duverne on Facebook at Dudley Alexander Duverne, on Instagram at @iamdudleyalexander, and on Twitter at @mistamuziq.

Go to http://www.newyorkstaroftheday.com/ to learn more.

Staff Writer Michael Izzo: 973-428-6636; mizzo@GannettNJ.com