By Vivienne Tregidga
On Saturday 30th March Holly Ellison, a contestant from The Voice, performed on stage at the Village Hall in Gosforth and wowed the audience with her amazing voice.
“When I read an email from this 15-year-old boy Oliver Hodgson asking me to perform at his event, I thought, ahh, and knew I just had to do it.” Holly said as she walked on stage.
Holly then began to sing and blew everyone away with her showmanship and beautiful voice no wonder Will.I.Am turned within 2 seconds of hearing her sing at the Blind Performance on The Voice last year.
However, Holly chose to be on Olly Murs team and got through to the final 6 contestants “I’m still in contact with Olly, he was super helpful and gave me lots of tips.” said Holly when I met her back stage in Gosforth before the show. She was wearing a funky track-suit with curlers in her hair and greeted me with a big warm smile.
I was struck by how petite Holly is, reminding me of a young Kylie, perfectly formed with a killer voice.
“They say that people who win The Voice don’t do that well,” said Holly in her soft Liverpool accent. “Whereas I’m free to do what I want and perform where I want.” She cocked her head and continued “But I’m glad that I did it, but I really want to be known for who I am and not just for being on The Voice I’m branching into acting which is really exciting and I’ve got a few auditions for some good TV Soaps” unfortunately, Holly was tight lipped about which soaps.
Holly has been acting since the age of 11 and she studied the performing arts at The Everyman Youth Theatre and LIPA in 2015 she received a 1st class BA hons degree in Popular music from LIPA where she studied production, song writing, the music business and performance.
“I won The Beatles Prize Award for best singer/song writer and was chosen to have a one to one song writing session with Sir Paul McCartney which was amazing.”
Holly, 25, seems to have her feet firmly planted on the ground and won’t allow the fame bubble to change her from being the kind and friendly person she’s always been. “I feel like I’ve got my head screwed on, and I’m so lucky to have a great family around me, and my mum who I call ‘Momanger’ who comes with me all the time.”
You might remember her Momanger, Joanne, on The Voice screaming in the wings as she watched Holly on stage “she helps me to stay grounded.”
This was Holly’s first visit to Cumbria. “It’s only two hours up the road from Liverpool yet it seems like another world and feel I should have my passport.” She laughed “The people are so friendly and it’s all very beautiful and cute.”
When Holly walked out onto the stage in her glitzy gold dress and very high heels, she owned it and gave us a show we’ll always remember – this lady with her generous nature and superb voice is destined to be a big star, and an excellent role model for today’s young women. I know Holly is extremely busy but I hope she will visit Cumbria again soon.
Holly was supported by local singer Zoe and her band The Guys who got the audience singing and dancing. Sponsors of the event were: – Floor Coverings Cumbria, The Kellbank, The Bower House Eskdale, Gosforth Taxi’s and Seascale Golf Club.
