You may have heard that the best way to win at anything is by being true to yourself. It always works! Just like in this Irish traveler’s audition for the latest season of Ireland’s Got Talent. She sang a different song at first, but when she sang a song that spoke of her real identity, the judges were totally blown away!
Sharyn Ward, 34 years old, is a proud Irish traveler and has been singing traditional Irish songs her whole life. Married with two adorable kids, this lady is proud of her way of life and ethnicity.
In her audition, Sharyn came with a lot of support from her family and friends. She proudly shared their adventures while traveling and living the nomadic life. Her ethnic orientation is a part of who she is and she is happy that her family is with her in the life of a traveler.
Her husband, James Ward, always encourages her to follow her dreams along with their children, Bonnie and Jack. Sharyn dedicates her performance to her family who always stood by her.
When Judge Jason Byrne gave her the go signal to sing her audition piece, the mellow introduction to Ben E. Ring’s “Stand By Me” played in the air. Sharyn sang with a crystal clear voice that had just the right emotion for the song.
She absolutely felt the song and sang from her heart. Her husband sat in the audience to support her while her kids were on the side of the stage with host Lucy Kennedy.
The room was quietly listening to Sharyn’s heartfelt performance. And when her beautiful song ended, the crowd gave her a huge round of applause. However, Judge Louis Walsh’s serious face made Sharyn worry.
And true enough, the judge thought something was amiss with her performance.
“Sharyn, I think you’re great. I think you’re a great role model. I think you’re a great singer. Why didn’t you sing an Irish song? ‘Cause that’s what you are! It’s Ireland’s Got Talent!” Louis pointed out.
The judge also asked about what song Sharyn would have sung had she chosen to perform an Irish traditional song.
“I probably would have sang ‘Sweet Sixteen’,” the mother of two said, referencing to a song originally performed by Finbar Furey.
Louis wanted her to sing even just a little bit of the song. Sharyn said she can. Before she launched onto the traditional Irish song without any accompaniment, Louis strongly shared that he knew it was who Sharyn really is.
“This is you, I know it!”
After only a few words to the song, the crowd went wild with cheers as they listened to Sharyn’s raw yet crystal clear voice echoing in the entire room. Since she was singing without music, her voice resonated in a pure, unadulterated manner, reaching the hearts of everyone listening.
Her voice was definitely spectacular! It was honest, classic and totally heartfelt. Judge Denise Van Outen even had chills just by listening to her.
The judges were utterly amazed by her talent that all four of them gave Sharyn a standing ovation after her performance! The crowd erupted in cheers when she ended.
Judge Jason Byrne was quick to commend her for a job well done and noted that the other song she sang was like painting over who she truly is. Louis was also impressed by her amazing vocals.
“Sharyn, that was beautiful. You can hear a pin drop here and it was just you singing from your heart. That was amazing,” the seasoned judge said.
Judge Michelle Visage also felt the authenticity of Sharyn’s personality and talent.
“You’re proud of who you are. You’re unapologetic. And I live that way as well and I thought that was incredible. Your kids that are there with you, seeing their Mommy do this…that’s really what matters here,” the singer and DJ gushed.
What Judge Denise Van Outen loved about Sharyn was the way she was able to tell a story through her song. She found it really lovely and inspirational.
The judges concluded her audition with four resounding yeses and Sharyn went through to the next round of the competition. She truly nailed her second song because of her authentic and clear voice matched with the fact that singing Irish traditional songs is a part of her true talent.
Sharyn’s amazing performance is a reminder that being your real self is always the best way to go in everything you do. You simply have to watch this marvelous performance in the video below showcasing Sharyn’s talent as she stays true to her roots and herself.
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