I hope my Voice mentor Rita Ora will share a wine with me at Scottish gig, says singer
CHEERS TO THAT I hope my Voice mentor Rita Ora will share a wine with me at Scottish gig, says singer
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A VOICE Australia star has swapped the showbiz stage for jamming in the backroom of a Scots boozer ahead of a homecoming gig - and is hoping to have a VIP guest.
Glasgow girl Nyree Huyser, 40, was mentored by global megastar Rita Ora, 34, on the hit show down under after impressing the telly judge with her unique spin on Demi Lovato hit Stone Cold.
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Nyree Huyser has returned to Scotland to delight fans
Credit: Tom Farmer
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Nyree was mentored by Rita Ora on The Voice Australia
But now Nyree is back in Scotland, after living in New Zealand for the last 10 years, to entertain crowds on her home turf.
And she's saving a seat for Anywhere hitmaker Rita at her upcoming gig.
Nyree, from Clarkson, said: 'She's more than welcome to come along and we can share a glass of wine or two'.
The talented Scot made The Voice Australia judge Rita's top three, but narrowly missed out on a spot in the final.
Following the 2023 blind audition, mentor Rita said: 'I'm shaking. I felt like you were singing like it was your last chance.
'You really did not disappoint. Your story is what's going to potentially make you win this competition.'
The show wasn't Nyree's first bid for stardom. The bubbly musician applied for noughties talent hunt Pop Idol and years later on UK primetime hit Britain's Got Talent.
She also tried out for Popstars: The Rivals - a 2002 singing contest fronted by Pete Waterman, Louis Walsh and Geri Halliwell.
Nyree later emigrated to New Zealand with cricket coach hubby Carl - who batted balls in Pollok, Glasgow.
The mum-of-three put her stardom bid on ice as she juggled dreams of fame with raising Hayden, eight, Charlotte, six, and Ollie, three.
Rita Ora looks incredible as she strips off to thong bikini to enjoy an ice lolly by the pool
She said: 'You kind of lose a bit of yourself when you have kids because you've got new priorities. You don't think about yourself any more.
'I never lost the passion, but I stopped doing things for myself and just focused on them.
'I thought, 'well, that's it then, maybe I've had my day'.'
In a last-ditch attempt to pursue her dream, Nyree replied to a casting call for the Australian version of The Voice.
She said: 'I got a lot of doors closed in my face, but I kept plodding on.
'If somebody tells me I can't do something, I'm going to try and do it.
'Being on the show is the most nervous I've ever been in my life - I was shaking. It was like my feet were glued to the ground and then the doors opened.
'I walked out onto The Voice stage and you could hear a pin drop. I just started singing, it was frightening, but all four judges turned around for me.'
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Nyree is saving a seat for Rita at her show
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Nyree put her stardom bid on ice as she juggled dreams of fame with raising her kids
Credit: Supplied
Nyree was left 'conflicted' after bagging an incredible 'four-chair turn' and was forced to select a mentor.
But she went with superstar Rita who joined the star-studded panel which also includes R&B legend Jason Derulo and respective Australian Idol stars Jessica Mauboy and Guy Sebastian.
She gushed: 'I picked Rita because she's just so inspiring.
'I definitely made the right decision and I've made memories that I'll just cherish forever.
'I didn't even see the first three judges turn around and then when the fourth chair turned, I was like, 'I can't believe it, I've got all four chairs'.'
The talent show hopeful added: 'Rita was lovely and approachable.
'I thought I'd be really intimidated by her but she's really friendly and down to earth.
'She was always there to answer my questions and offer up advice.'
Homecoming show
Nyree will bring her The Power of Celine show to Glasgow's Eastwood Park Theatre later this month.
The singer admits it will be a full circle moment for her and can't wait to get in front of the Scottish crowd.
She said: 'I wanted to come back and see the family and thought that it would be great to put on a gig.
'It's a bit of a homecoming to show the world what I've been doing over in New Zealand.
'I'm excited to be back because you can't get enough of Scotland.
'This was my local theatre and I remember performing in musicals here when I was growing up.
'Now I get to headline. It's going to be an emotional homecoming, I can tell.'
She added: 'My childhood pal James Grant will be joining me alongside a few local dancers.
'I asked James to join me as we go way back - we used to perform in competitions back in the day.
'There will be lots of surprises in there too - the audience is in for a treat.'
And as she rehearses from the backroom of Doherty's Bar in Hamilton, Nyree hopes that pubs across the country will belt out her next batch of songs.
She said: 'I'd love to release some more music.
'I'm focusing on my second album, which will be inspired by Celine and Adele.
'And of course, I'd love to do more shows, I just want to keep on performing.'
- Log onto ercultureandleisure.org for tickets for the June 27 show
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