At 34-years-old Toni Warne has been waiting for years to be judged on her voice and not her appearance.
At the time of her audition she worked at a bank, but her true passion and love was singing. Even with her job at the bank, she still admitted her real work was playing gigs at various establishments.
But there was one thing she was self-conscious about.
She suffers from a condition known as alopecia. This condition is rare, but causes a person’s hair to fall out because their immune system attacks their own body. In this particular case, its the hair follicles that are affected. The amount of hair loss can vary from person to person, but in Toni’s case it caused her to lose all of her hair completely at the age of 21.
Though there is no cure for alopecia, there are treatments that can help.
Tori admits this condition had quite an impact on her and caused her to lose her confidence. She didn’t think that she could continue to perform and because of being self-conscious to perform in front of others, she made the choice to get a 9-5 job.
But an important realization hit her and she knew the time had come.
She realized “The Voice” meant just that – only her voice would be judged.
When she heard The Voice was offering auditions, the title alone helped her to realize it was about her voice and she didn’t feel it necessary to “cover up” her own natural beauty. Knowing the judges’ chairs are turned, she wouldn’t be judged by her looks initially but only the quality of her vocals. She bravely states:
It’s time now for me to sing, and if they turn their chairs around, of course, it would the most amazing possible thing. I’m looking forward to being on stage and being me for the first time ever really. It feels good.
And with that, she bravely tossed her headpiece to the ground and confidently walked out on the stage.
With the judges’ facing away from her, she finally felt no one was passing judgment bases on appearance, but the clear and beautiful sound of her own voice.
The song she chose to sing was “Leave Right Now.” It was written by British songwriter and producer EG White who won an award in 2004 being the best song musically and lyrically. For Tori, likely the lyrics had special meaning to her as well:
I’m here, just like I said.
Though it’s breaking every rule I’ve ever made.
My racing heart is just the same . .
The time had finally come and she knocked everyone’s socks off.
The judges fell in love with her.
The further her audition went on you could see her confidence building and building and much to her delight she got to witness all four judges turning their chairs around. Clearly overwhelmed, she whispers “thank you” with genuine gratitude.
The judges recognized something very special about her and asked what her inspiration was. She admitted that initially her condition “knocked the stuffing” out of her and she couldn’t believe in herself.
But then the real truth came out.
It took her becoming a mom to realize what really was important in life.
The last couple of years, I’ve had two beautiful children and you realize that life is short. Music is my absolute passion beyond passion.
And it was this passion combined with her talent that made the judges plea their cases in hope they would choose her. One judge says.
As I was listening I could tell you’ve been through something. I could tell you’ve been through the pain and that’s what moved me emotionally to hit my button. If you pick me I will fight to the end for you because I think you are fantastic. You are amazing.
After Tom Jones gave his opinion of her audition, Toni admits she’s completely overwhelmed.
But the time had come for her to make her choice of which lucky judge would get to coach her.
Watch below to hear her outstanding voice and the reason she picked her coach. What a strong and brave woman she is.
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