Jaiden karimloo

Born in Tehran, Ramin Karimloo, 38, was an infant when his family moved in 1979, first to Rome for two years then finally to Ontario, Canada. His father worked as an Imperial Guard in Iran and his mother was a tailor until the Islamic Revolution overthrew the Shah of Iran and ended the rule of the Pahlavi dynasty.  Growing up in Petersborough in Central Ontario, 75 miles northeast of Toronto, it was inevitable that the boy would spend a good part of his childhood playing hockey (left wing). Lots of it. His family would later move to Richmond Hill.

But it was a school trip to Toronto when he was twelve years old that redefined the path to his future. The Phantom of the Opera was the first musical he had ever seen. Going in he had anticipated disliking a musical, instead the boy found himself shaken by it. He recalled holding back tears, repeating to himself that hockey players didn’t cry. Still, he had a deep connection with the character and had such admiration for the performance that he told friends he’ll be the guy behind

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