22 year old Samoan, Celestial Utai from Ipswich Brisbane, took to The Voice Australia’s stage to perform Beyonce’s 2006 smash hit, Deja Vu, for her blind auditions and absolutely rocked it!
Celestial had everyone in the crowd including the judges on their feet dancing to her stellar performance which landed her not only a clean sweep four chair turn, but also a standing ovation.
Celestial’s voice had all four coaches turning in the opening seconds of her audition with coaches Jessica Mauboy and Guy Sebastian throwing their shoe onto the stage – which in performing arts, is a public action of high compliment that acknowledges appreciation and respect for the performer’s talents and skill.
When the time came for Coaches to pitch, Mauboy gave her all to lure Celestial onto her team, but in the middle of her pitch she was interrupted by the loud sound of a buzzer indicating she had been blocked from being an option as a judge for Celestial! A block can be played by a Coach who wants to remove another coach from the competition for a performer.
Coach Guy Sebastian admitted to blocking her to ensure he wins the talented Celestial Utai onto his team. “In the moment,” he said, “Jess is my competition right now”.
As it turned out, Guy Sebastian did not need to play his block card, as it became obvious Celestial had decided pre-audition on which of the four coaches she wanted.
Calling up her family to help her present a ula laufala to Guy Sebastian as she explained the cultural significance of the gift.
“I’ve actually got a gift that I want to give to the Coach that I wanted to choose today…this is a traditional Samoan necklace..it represents respect and appreciation…, for the men who wear it.. Without further ado I would love to choose Guy as my Coach”
Guy Sebastian was elated. He walked up onto the stage to receive his ula fala.
Sebastian declared they were “not quite done” as he walked back to his big red chair, and slammed the silver Battle Pass button which secured Utai a place in his top six.
The Samoan is only the second artist to have been awarded a battle pass so far this season.
Celestial Utai is one of the many strong Pacific Island vocalists that have been coming through Australia’s Voice this season.
You can watch their performances online and keep your eye out this season to throw your support behind our Samoan and Pacific talents who are definitely “Ones-to-watch” out for.
