There are some singers who enter a competition confidently just knowing that they are going to win it. From the moment they arrive on stage, you sense an aura of, โI got this.โ
Lacey Madison did not have that confidence when she walked on the stage of The Voice Australia for her blind audition in 2018.
The entire room was eerily quiet. If a coin was dropped, youโd hear it. The only sound present was Madisonโs heels as she walked the lonely path to center stage. She looked as if it were up to her, sheโd continue walking right out the door.
The sound of her sisterโs breathing could also be heard to reiterate how nerve-racking the moment was, in case you hadnโt picked it up.
โShe can do it. Deep breaths,โ her sister says backstage.
Madison arrives on stage.
โI think I need deep breaths as well,โ she joked.
Madison begins to sing, โWicked Gameโ by Chris Isaak in a shaky voice.
There is a brief pause after the first line. Before she starts again, she seems to have gathered herself. The following lyrics strike a completely different tone.
Full, strong, confident.
Immediately, Boy George presses his button, turning his chair around. Madison smiles modestly and continues.
Suddenly, Kelly Rowland does too.
Seeing that two judges have pressed their buttons, Madisonโs mom and sister begin to scream and jump for joy backstage.
Madison finds her stride and begins to sway rhythmically to the song, smiling. She has the judges in a trance. Joe Jonas and Delta Goodrem remain with their chairs turned, thinking.
Jonas canโt seem to make up his mind. Perking up at certain notes one moment and placing his head back down to listen intensely at others.
But Goodrem gives in, striking her button.
When Madison finishes, she covers her mouth and turns to hide her excitement. She may look and sound like a full-grown woman but she is only 17 years-old. It is in this moment, we see her age, a giddy and overwhelmed teenager.
โI am kicking myself. I am kicking myself that I didnโt hit my buzzer,โ Jonas confesses.
When the judges inquire more about the talented singer, she reveals that sheโs much more than a singer.
โI have my own business. Iโm a fashion designer but I also work in the marketing industry.โ
Of course, this blows the judges away.
When itโs time for the judges to plead their cases, Madison says she always told herself that she would choose the first judge who turned around for her.
โThat was me then,โ Boy George responds.
Madison continues, โBut then Delta turned around and I was like (sharp inhale).โ
As Madison starts the exciting yet dreadful process of having to pick a coach, she asks for the audienceโs help.
Madison begins to curl up into herself again as each judge throws why she should pick them.
Rowland begs for Madison to choose her while Boy George is pressing that he would challenge her as an artist.
As the moment hangs, Madison looks from one judge to the other, no longer certain.
Finally, she says:
โIโm gonna go with Kelly.โ
Rowland, thrilled, jumps out of her seat. Goodrem takes Rowlandโs hand and reassures Madison that they are a team.
โI am right next to you here. This is what sisterhoodโ weโre all together.โ
Rowland nods in agreement.
After sharing some hugs, Rowland insists on meeting her mom and sister who wait anxiously backstage.
When they arrive, Maidsonโs younger sister begins clapping and screaming in excitement. Rowland hugs her. She beams up at the singer and after hugging her says:
โWow. I like your hair.โ
โThank you,โ Rowland responds.
Things were already off to an exciting start!
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