AN ASPIRING singer and actress from Comet country has shot to fame after a video broadcast on the internet attracted more than one million hits.

Terema Wainwright, of Walsworth Road, Hitchin, starred in 'Newport (Ymerodraeth - State of Mind)', a video parody of Jay-Z and Alicia Keys' hit single 'Empire State of Mind' that has gained a global audience after being published on YouTube, a popular video sharing website.

The 25-year-old, who graduated from the Hitchin-based One Year Acting and Singing Course at The Market Theatre last month, saw off competition from 11 other singers to land the role of Alicia for the video, which has so far been viewed over 1.5 million times on the internet since being published last week.

Terema turned up to the first casting unaware of exactly what she was auditioning for, only being told she needed to be able to sing an R&B song in a Welsh accent.

The Market Theatre graduate stars alongside Newport rapper Alex Warren (Jay-Z) for the spoof video, which includes the chorus: "In Newport, concrete jumble nothing in order, not far from the border. When you're in Newport.

"Chips, cheese and curry makes you feel brand new, washed down with a Special Brew. Repeat the word Newport, Newport, Newport."

The Hitchin resident, who has also lived in Stevenage, said: "I just thought it was going to be something for my show reel as I has a chance to sing and act.

"I never thought this was ever going to happen.

"I've always wanted to be an actress and a singer and I'm just very lucky I've got this break."

The song, which is due to be released as a single, has been endorsed by celebrities such as Rob Brydon, Stephen Fry - who stated on social networking website Twitter that it was "cowing lush" - and Lily Allen, who described it as "amazing".

Terema, who has already appeared on The Morning Show on BBC1, added: "We've been told there's a good chance it could reach number one."