By Marlon Dale Ferreira
Sensational Shannen Wick took The Voice Australia ‘Season 13’ by storm with a breathtaking blind audition, singing Sam Brown’s classic hit ‘Stop.’
If you thought only the Melbourne Cup could bring Australia to a standstill, think again as Shannen’s powerful performance on Monday night in Sydney had the entire nation captivated.
A talented singing teacher from Australia, Shannen entered the competition at the insistence of her students, and she did not disappoint.
Her rendition was so mesmerizing that all four judges Guy Sebastian, LeAnn Rimes, Kate Miller-Heidke, and Adam Lambert immediately spun their chairs around, each vying to be her coach.
In a dramatic moment that left the audience and judges on the edge of their seats, Shannen ultimately chose Guy Sebastian as her mentor, much to the dismay of the other three panelists.
Shannen’s musical roots run deep. Her parents, both Sri Lankan by birth and now living in Melbourne Australia, have a rich history of talent and passion. Her father, Errol Wickremesinghe, was a former St. Thomas’ College Kotte cricketer, while her mother, Lalinthi Wijesinghe, was a striking Air Lanka flight stewardess in the 1980s. Along with her supportive parents, Shannen’s younger sister Shonelle was also present at the event, cheering her on.
It’s worth noting that Shannen’s dad Errol’s entire family shares a deep love for music, with his brothers Ashton, Ricky, Alan,Glen and sisters Claudette and Jessica all being enthusiastic music lovers. Ashton, in particular, is one of Sri Lanka’s biggest Elvis Presley fans, adding to the family’s vibrant musical legacy.
Shannen Wick’s unforgettable performance on The Voice is just the beginning, and the world is eagerly watching what this rising star will do next.
* The writer extends heartfelt congratulations to Shannen’s parents, Errol Wickremesinghe, a former neighbor from Asiri Mawatha in Kalubowila, Dehiwala, and Lalinthi Wijesignhe, a former Air Lanka Flight Attendant colleague who was part of the Cabin Crew on his very first long-haul flight to London in October 1988.