For two and a half years he gave his all to boy band Titanium - now Jordi Webber is preparing to make a name for himself as a solo artist.
The former Rotorua man has moved to Sydney to develop himself as an artist and actor and later this year will head to the United States on a tour of agents in an effort to get signed.
Webber moved to Australia earlier this year after performing his final gig with Titanium on New Year's Eve, but has had to wait until now to announce he's left the boy band, which was originally formed through a radio competition.
FINAL GIG: Titanium's New Year's performance (right) was Webber's final one with the boy band. PHOTO/FILE
The 20-year-old works with JMA Entertainment, an artist development studio, each afternoon while juggling two jobs to stay afloat.
Webber said he headed over to Sydney after being "scooped up" by management at the studio.
He'd considered leaving the band a year ago but had been convinced by bandmates to stay and sign another year's contract. He said now that was up, the time was right to go out on his own.
Webber said several factors led to the decision.
"First of all my passion never was in music. It was an opportunity that just happened and opened up a lot of doors."
While he had no regrets about being part of Titanium, he was ready to move on.
"I've created a new slate, started a new page."
He said he wished the band all the best and would continue to support them in their career.
Webber said "starting from scratch" in Australia had been tough.
He was receiving vocal lessons for the first time and said it was a challenge learning to sing in a whole different way.
"We've done some big gigs with Titanium and then you've got this lady saying the way you are singing is all wrong and you've got to start again."
Days start at 5am and finish at 10pm, but he's spurred on by the November trip to the USA. The only catch was trying to raise enough money to go, which is why Webber started up a Give A Little page.
He said he had made some good connections and had been approached by Paul Walker's agent who wanted to work with him.
He'd also made some connections with agents in the music business, which he hoped to develop further on the trip.
Webber said he expected to spend about five weeks in the USA promoting himself as a solo musician as well as an actor.
"It will be life changing. While I was in the band I had a few offers but I had committed myself to the band. Now I'm excited to see what I can do on my own."
He said he had high hopes for the trip.
"I'd like to be signed to a really good acting agency and get a record deal with a good label."
While his real dream would always be to pursue acting, he said he planned to continue with the music.
"For now I know music is the platform to help me there."
