Cornubia child star’s big stage debut

Cornubia-based performer Diesel Batson might just pirouette all the way to Broadway.

His parents noticed his flair for the arts at age 2, when he took up dancing after seeing his sister perform at a concert.

A decade later, he is a model, songwriter, composer, singer, and the title character in Billy Elliot: The Musical, currently playing at The Star Gold Coast.

The show is about a young boy from an English country mining town who overcomes all odds to become a ballerina.

For Diesel, who is inspired by the likes of fellow triple-threat performers like Hugh Jackman, the role is a dream.

‘A lot of the situations that Billy experiences, I’m going through in real life as well,’ he says.

‘I would never have expected to get in – I was so shocked when I did and I’m still super excited.

‘I sometimes forget how fortunate I am, and what a big deal this is.’

Diesel and his father, Louie, defy all stereotypes associated with child stars and their parents.

‘It’s never been about the accolades, Diesel is the kind of person who gets in and does stuff because he loves it,’ Louie says.

‘It can seem overwhelming as a parent to go on this journey with your child, but you just need to support them as much as you can – life’s too short to let opportunities slip away.’

Despite his huge success, Diesel is as humble, unpretentious, and straightforward as they come and speaks frankly about his experiences as a child star.

During rehearsal season, he clocked in 32 hours weekly while juggling homework, sports, and a social life.

Although the schedule was rigorous, Diesel says there was nowhere else he’d rather be.

‘I put my career in front of everything, so school has been difficult because I was missing 3 days a week, but I reckon I just need to learn how to balance it all,’ he says.

‘Rehearsals were hard but still very fun because you’re with all these other people who love it as much as you do.

‘It’s all worth it – I love being on stage and meeting new people.’

When he isn’t on stage, Diesel is a regular 12-year-old with big dreams, who enjoys playing Fortnite.

‘A goal for the future would be to perform on Broadway or in Hollywood,’ he says.

‘If you have a dream, never give up – even if you fail at one thing, or 100 things, there’s something waiting for you in the future.’

Learn more Diesel on the official Diesel Batson page.