Suzie McNeil is one of two Canadian singers still in the running to win Rock Star: INXS.

Aside from a few lucky Canadian Idol finalists, most talented Canadian artists are being forced to storm the U.S. border in hopes of making it big on reality TV.

Over the years, the odd Canuck actor/singer has managed to land the role of a lifetime on shows like Survivor and American Idol after moving to the States. Traditionally, rules on most U.S. reality shows limit participants to U.S. citizens.

But recently, a new wave of Canadian-based performers have been popping up on reality hits such as So You Think You Can Dance and Rock Star: INXS, suggesting an international trend in reality TV may be in the making.

J.D. Fortune, Rock Star's most controversial contestant, is proving producers who have said American viewers are not interested in watching Canadians on TV very wrong.

Not only is he providing some good watching by constantly landing in hot water with the other singers, but he's also a favourite to win the dream job prize -- becoming the new frontman of INXS.

"We have such great examples of singer/songwriters in Canada ... who have really broken into the American music scene over the last five years," says Fortune, adding he believes Americans now view Canada as a breeding ground for talented musicians.

"Because it's music, I think Americans are rooting for some of us Canucks."

Fortune, who was raised in Nova Scotia and Toronto, worked as an Elvis impersonator before auditioning for Rock Star.

Since making the show's finals, the tattooed 31-year-old has received constant accolades from INXS and support from viewers.

"I have a large family," he jokes.

"I'm hoping it is coming from Canada -- I really miss home. We've been here for weeks and I'm really looking forward to getting home and touching down on Canadian soil no matter what happens."

While the two Canadians on Rock Star (two others have been voted off) may have the local support, they aren't favourites in INXS' homeland, unlike Aussie Mig Ayesa.

But, Fortune says he's not concerned about that. "I think it will ultimately come down to who INXS feels will gel well with the band."

Fellow Canadian Rock Star hopeful Suzie McNeil, 28, couldn't agree more. In fact, she laughs when asked if Ayesa has an advantage over the other contestants.

"Mig is half Australian and his father is from the Philippines, so we always joke that he's got all of Australia and Asia in the bag," she says.

The Mississauga native says being a Canadian is both an advantage (because INXS fans likely do not want an American fronting the band) and a disadvantage.

"I'm sure Canada is really pulling for J.D. and myself, but there aren't as many Canadians as there are Americans (to vote)," says McNeil, whose break into the biz was touring North America with Abbamania.

"When I first got here, I was thinking 'Wow, I'm going to be on TV and get my foot in the door.' Now, honestly, I would love to get this gig."

That's also something Deanna Johnson, who was eliminated from the show this week, desperately wanted.

The singer/songwriter from Kingston, Ont. says it's difficult letting go of that dream.

"Last (Wednesday) was a very dark night, but I feel blessed. I would have never had that exposure any other way."

Professional dancer/teacher Jonnis, who made a name for himself as a participant on So You Think You Can Dance before getting the boot Wednesday, also considers himself lucky.

The 20-year-old tap/hip-hop dancer, who lived in Vancouver before moving to New Jersey, does not believe his birthplace contributed to his elimination.

"I don't think people should vote on citizenship -- I don't think that should come into play," says Jonnis, who feels he was voted off because he lipped-off the judges.

"I'm here because I have a very big mouth."

Jonnis, who's departure leaves professional dancer Blake McGrath as the only remaining Canadian-born competitor in the American dance-off, says he's hopeful his 15-minutes of fame will lead to a very successful career.

"Millions of people watch this show ... so I think a lot of us could do really well at this. It could be huge."