Niamh Nolan, from Kilcolman, last weekend won over the judges of ‘The Voice UK’, the hugely popular ITV (previously BBC) blind singing contest, which also airs in Ireland on Virgin Media One.
Appearing last of the nine contestants on Saturday, she excelled with her performance of ‘Shallow’ by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, to easily advance a stage further.
Different than other shows, contestants on ‘The Voice UK’ are judged based solely on their voice – judges have their backs turned to performers – and not their stage presence. Two of the judges, industry legend Tom Jones and American rapper will.i.am, both hit the legendary red button and turned around in their spinning chairs in support of Niamh.
The show’s other judges are Olly Murs and Anne-Marie and its presenter is Emma Willis.
Niamh, 25, will now be mentored by will.i.am. Ahead of the season, he said: “Discovering fresh and unique voices is what this show is all about, so I am looking forward to meeting the next wave of talent.”
Amazingly, it’s a year ago since Niamh auditioned for the show. “This kinda all started for me during the lockdown when I joined TikTok and over time I gained a lot of followers with my performances on that platform,” she explained. “I was also on Instagram, and here someone approached me – I actually felt it might be a scam at first about auditioning, as they worked with The Voice. It took off from that moment.”
Until quite recently, Niamh, daughter of well-known traditional musicians/singers Donie and Maura Nolan, was forced to keep silent about her television appearance, which she found difficult.
The Voice UK has opened-up the world now to avid Limerick hurling supporter Niamh. “I’ll always be grounded, and the support I always received from Kilcolman, West Limerick and the whole of Limerick will never leave me. These are exciting times, and I am really, really enjoying myself. I have so many people to be grateful for, and I thank each and every one of them.”
This is series 11 of The Voice UK, and it regularly attracts a television audience of around five million viewers.