Charlestown's Connor Wink sang his way through to season 11 of The Voice Australia last night.
The 23-year-old performed a stripped-back version of Believe by his all-time favourite artist Cher and turned all four judges' chairs.
Wink joined judge Guy Sebastian's team "because his music makes me happy and he seemed like a nice guy".
The vision-impaired singer, songwriter and instrumentalist has tried on three previous occasions to audition for The Voice but never made it as far as the so-called "Blind Auditions". This is where the judges listen to each potential contestant in front of an audience but can't see them until - and if - they turn their chair in a bid to woo that artist onto their team.
Wink approached this audition with a mantra - they can't see me, and I can't see them - but it did little to calm his nerves.
"We thought 'Why not try one more time and see how things go' and I wasn't sure I was going to make it but this year it finally happened," he said.
"Guy lived up to my expectations. Even though I was nervous he was calming and had good things to say about me.
"I join the team, meet my teammates, but you'll have to tune in to find out more [laughs]."
Wink, who gigs regularly around Newcastle and describes himself as a "crooner", says he "wants to show the world that having a disability doesn't stop you from achieving your dreams".
His parents realised he had "an ear" for music when he started playing his toy piano at the age of two. Four years later they found a piano teacher to help nurture his talent.
He has been singing since he was eight and now plays several instruments, including the guitar. He was able to memorise lyrics and music and this, combined with his acute hearing, pitch and unique voice, has made him an in-demand performer and mentor.
"Gigging is my work on the weekends, and during the week I do songwriting with other people," Wink said.
"I'm currently learning how to play the drums, too, so that's keeping me busy."
He reckons he has "two or three albums worth" of original songs that he "might put out there one day".
Wink met Cher backstage in Las Vegas in 2010 and she listened to him sing. He says she gave him some advice that helped when he auditioned for Hunter School of the Performing Arts at Broadmeadow. Wink got to meet Cher again backstage at Newcastle Entertainment Centre in 2018.
The Voice Australia, Sundays at 7pm, Monday to Wednesday 7.30pm on Channel 7 and 7plus.
Follow us on Google News
