"WE’VE GOT TALENT!" 2026 MEET THE PANEL

Meet Our Judges

Our judges bring experience, heart, and a passion for the performing arts to the "We’ve Got Talent!" stage. Each act is reviewed with care, professionalism, and a focus on entertainment value, showmanship, and ability.

Acts are chosen based on entertainment value, showmanship, and ability.

The judging process is fair, thoughtful, and talent-focused.

The Panel Behind the Performances

Meet the judges helping guide this year’s "We’ve Got Talent!" competition. From reviewing performances to recognizing stage presence, creativity, and audience impact, our judges play an important role in celebrating the performers who bring this event to life.

OFFICIAL JUDGES

Meet the "We’ve Got Talent!" Judges

Each judge brings a unique perspective to the competition, helping recognize performers who demonstrate confidence, creativity, preparation, and the ability to entertain an audience. We are grateful for their time, experience, and commitment to supporting local talent and the Gifford Academy for Performing Arts.

JOHN SIMON

Music Producer | Composer | Writer | Performer

Official "We’ve Got Talent!" Judge

John Simon is an American music producer, composer, writer, and performer. Simon produced numerous classic albums that continue to sell more than 40 years later, including albums by The Band, Janis Joplin, Simon & Garfunkel, Leonard Cohen, Blood, Sweat & Tears, and many others.

The early Seventies saw the first of several albums of his original material for Warner Brothers and Vanguard Records.

He was the Musical Director for the legendary "Last Waltz" concert. In addition, he has composed for film, ballet and circus entertainers.

He was the Music Supervisor for a Broadway venture called "Rock & Roll! The First 5,000 Years".

Simon and wife, C.C. Loveheart, wrote and performed a cabaret act called "Alone Together For The First Time Again" and co-authored a popular play, "Jackass Flats", which had its professional premiere in June of 2011.

A self-described "compulsive musician", Simon continues to perform on the Treasure Coast. In 2018, he wrote "TRUTH, LIES & HEARSAY: A Memoir Of A Musical Life In And Out Of Rock And Roll", available on Amazon or through your local bookstore or wherever fine literature is sold.

C.C. LOVEHEART

Actor | Writer | Director | Performing Artist

Official "We’ve Got Talent!" Judge

Raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, C.C. Loveheart began her professional career in theatre with mime training which eventuated in a one-woman show and led to the creation of a mime character named Coco for Pinwheel House, a series featured on Nickelodeon in the 1970s.

In the early 1980s, she attended the Strassberg Institute in NYC to study Stanislavski ideas and methods, the inward preparation an actor must undergo to explore a role to its full. She then auditioned for and became a Lifetime Member of the prestigious Actors' Studio.

She has appeared in many commercials, including winning a Clio award.

She began to write and appear in a solo cabaret act, eventually joining her husband, musician John Simon, in a cabaret act entitled "Alone Together for the First Time Again."

Together they wrote a play, "Jackass Flats", inspired by her early years in Las Vegas. The play won the Maxwell Anderson Award for the best unproduced play of 1997.

C.C.'s acting resume includes many lead roles and featured parts in stage, film and television. In addition, she has directed scores of students both singly and in workshops.

JAMES BROXTON

Professional Musician | Entertainer | Educator | Producer | Entrepreneur

Official "We’ve Got Talent!" Judge

James Broxton is a native of Gifford, FL, and a professional musician and entertainer with over 40 years of experience in the music and entertainment industry. Starting his musical journey during his youth under the direction of his parents, as a musician at Northside Church of God he developed the foundation for his soulful renditions of popular music. In middle and Junior High School, he also had the privilege of being taught by Samuel Rolle, Lawrence Trapp, and Paula Van Hooser.

After years of playing solo for weddings and other special occasions, he expanded his craft by developing several bands and managing them, which eventually pushed him to start his current business, James Broxton Productions. He manages the band named James Broxton and the Essence of Sound, and his business provides studio musicians, live music for special events, and DJ services.

Throughout his career, he has written and produced two live stage plays, "Till Death Do Us Part and I Found My Good Thing". He was responsible for talent acquisition, prop and stage settings, as well as the primary contact for venues like the Tupperware Center in Orlando, FL, The Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Theater in Belle Glade, FL, and he starred in a stage play called the "Book of Life" at the Potter's House in Houston, Texas.

James has an MBA from the University of Phoenix and is also an educator in the Indian River County School District. He has had the opportunity to perform on stage opening for Gospel artists like Shirley Ceaser, The Williams Brothers, Dorothy Norwood, Donnie Mc Clurkin and has provided musical entertainment for Dr. Trisha Bailey (owner of Bailey's Pharmaceutical and Medical Supply), Re Max, The Learning Alliance, and many other private organizations across the state of Florida.

Over the many years of entertaining others, Mr. Broxton has developed an ear and eye for recognizing raw talent with the "it" factor. Known for his ability to give constructive and positive feedback, he will be using his vast skill set to help our talented competitors continue their growth. He will be looking specifically for stage presence, originality, technical execution, and that wow factor.

BEN EARMAN

Theatre Director | Performer | Educator | Arts Advocate

Official "We’ve Got Talent!" Judge

Ben Earman is an award-winning theatre director, performer, educator, and arts advocate with more than two decades of experience in the performing arts. A fourth-generation Indian River County resident, he is a graduate of The University of Tampa, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theatre, holds an Associate of Arts in Education from Indian River State College, and is a proud graduate of the inaugural graduating class of Indian River Charter High School's Visual & Performing Arts School.

As a performer, Ben has appeared in numerous productions throughout Florida, with favorite roles including Alex Moore in the one-man show Buyer & Cellar, Leo Bloom in The Producers, Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors, Lumiere in Disney's Beauty and the Beast, and Igor in Young Frankenstein. He also performed professionally at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, where he appeared in the park's live animal show while working with more than 50 different species of animals each day.

As a director, Ben has helmed acclaimed productions including Cabaret, Pippin, Sylvia, Legally Blonde, Hairspray, Sweet Charity, God of Carnage, The Last Five Years, and The Miracle Worker, earning multiple awards recognizing Outstanding Production and artistic excellence. His directing work has been featured at the Vero Beach Theatre Guild, The Barn Theatre, The Henegar Center for the Arts, and other regional venues. In addition to his work on stage, Ben has taught theatre arts at both the middle and high school levels and has served as a guest artist and adjudicator for numerous district and state theatre education programs.

A passionate champion for arts education and community theatre, Ben currently serves as Treasurer on the Board of Directors for the Vero Beach Theatre Guild and remains dedicated to mentoring performers while helping strengthen the local arts community. Professionally, he serves as Vice President of Tourism & Marketing for Visit Indian River County, the official destination marketing office for all of Indian River County, where he promotes the region's vibrant arts and cultural offerings as a key component of its tourism brand. He also serves on several community boards and committees throughout the region.

Ben is honored to serve as a judge for We've Got Talent and looks forward to celebrating the talent, creativity, passion, and dedication of the area's outstanding performers.

ANNA VALENCIA TILLERY

On-Air Personality | Entrepreneur | Community Leader | Network Founder

Official "We’ve Got Talent!" Judge

Accomplished on-air personality, Anna Valencia Tillery takes great pride in everything she does. Armed with an enthusiastic outlook on life and a skilled weaver of words, Anna can take the boring and make it brilliant.

Experienced in sales and marketing, along with radio and television media, Anna Valencia came on board with White Glove: Moving, Storage, & Delivery in 2013 and has helped make this growing company a staple in the Vero Beach/Treasure Coast community.

Anna Valencia Tillery is also the host and founder of the Treasure Coast Premier Women's Network, which meets three times each month throughout the Treasure Coast. Being a community partner is a badge she wears proudly.

KATHERINE CONNORS

On-Air Personality | Entrepreneur | Community Leader | Network Founder

Official "We’ve Got Talent!" Judge

Katherine Connors is the founder of Made Worldwide Agency that she started in New York in 2012. She expanded the Agency to LA in 2020 and moved the company down to Florida in 2024. It became Vero Beach's first-ever SAG Franchise talent Agency!

She started off in the performing arts herself, studying at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Then went on to perform in Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway, tours, and many more Musical Theatre productions along the way.

She now teaches two classes called Broadway Babies and The Drama Club at Vero Beach Academy.

She just got done judging at Barbizon's Passport to Discovery in Orlando, and IPop in LA.

She is excited to be a part of Vero's Got Talent's very 1st competition as well!

BETH SHESTAK

Director | Choreographer | Musical Theatre Artist | SAG Performer

Official "We’ve Got Talent!" Judge

Beth Shestak is currently a director and choreographer who has worked up and down the East Coast. She graduated from the University of the Arts as a musical theatre major with a minor in dance and immediately moved to New York.

There she appeared in numerous Off-Broadway productions, modeled, and, after appearing on shows on ABC and The WB, received her SAG card. She has trained and worked with professionals such as Burt Reynolds, Dom DeLuise, and Jason Robert Brown. Beth is thrilled to help with this worthy cause and looks forward to seeing all the talent we have.

OSCAR SALES, JR.

Marketing Director, Riverside Theatre

Official "We’ve Got Talent!" Judge

Oscar Sales, Jr. has been an integral part of Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach since 2005, serving as its longtime Marketing Director. A passionate advocate for the performing arts, Oscar helps connect one of Florida's leading professional theatres with audiences throughout the Treasure Coast through marketing, media relations, audience development, special events, and community outreach.

With more than two decades of experience championing professional theatre and arts education, Oscar brings a keen understanding of performance, audience connection, and the transformative power of the arts to the “We've Got Talent!” judges' panel.

Celebrating Talent With Integrity

"We’ve Got Talent!" is proud to feature a judging panel committed to fairness, encouragement, and excellence. Every performer brings something special to the stage, and our judges are honored to help recognize the acts that inspire, entertain, and connect with the audience.

"We’ve Got Talent!" is about more than performance — it is about courage, preparation, creativity, and community. Our judges are here to help honor the performers who step onto the stage and share their gifts with confidence.

Each performance is evaluated with the goal of celebrating talent, encouraging growth, and recognizing the acts that bring energy, excellence, and entertainment to the audience.