Video: Reality show appearance opens up new paths

In 2017, Rukhiya Baidukenova was 18 years old as she watched Kazakhstan singer, Dimash Kudaibergen performing on Singer, a popular talent show for professional singers produced by Hunan TV.

Better known in China as Dimash, Kudaibergen developed a wide fan base. As a singer herself and a big fan of Chinese TV shows, Baidukenova found herself hoping to take part in Singer one day.

Seven years later, the then 25-year-old fulfilled her wish, appearing on stage at the reality show.

As the first of the international competitors in the latest season of the show, which was first launched in 2017, Baidukenova stood onstage bathed in the glow of anticipation. As a hush fell over the audience, she took a deep breath, and her voice resonated with raw emotion as she began to sing the late American singer-songwriter Eric Carmen's 1975 smash hit, All by Myself, which was also covered by French-Canadian singer Celine Dion.

Her vocal range and emotional rendition quickly captivated the audience.

"I was very nervous. I had only three days to prepare for the performance," says Baidukenova, who performs in China under her given name of Rukhiya.