Lorde’s current position of most successful teen Kiwi in the international music scene may be at risk. Jackson Owens is set to start a music career with a newly formed boyband in the U.S., which could mean global stardom for him.

The 16-year-old Turangi boy signed with the record label of Backstreet Boys’ original music producer, Tim Coons, in November, and remained virtually unknown until his story was featured by One News on Wednesday.

The Grammy-nominated producer discovered Owens after watching his YouTube videos. Owens has just flown to Florida to meet the rest of the team.

“His voice is more than just extraordinary,” Coons was quoted by One News as saying.

Owens will be the only non-American member of the band. He admitted that moving to Florida is a big change for him, but one that he grabbed because it might not happen again.

“It’s a once in a lifetime thing and I am very lucky. It’s a huge shock,” he told Fairfax NZ News.

Owens also said that his dad Bobby Owens has helped him a lot in achieving success.

“He has been my music coach for quite a while, I pretty much owe it to him for what I’ve been doing and all the people who have supported me in Taupo and Turangi, I want to thank them as well.”

Coons was also responsible for the bringing success to “Leave” hitmaker JoJo and NSYNC. He has also worked with Britney Spears, Rob Thomas, The Rolling Stones, and Fleetwood Mac among many others.

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