
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
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
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.
Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter
Sign up
4
Nyree Huyser has returned to Scotland to delight fans
Credit: Tom Farmer
4
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.'
4
Nyree is saving a seat for Rita at her show
4
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

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Scotsman
an hour ago
- Scotsman
The artists set to represent Scotland in Venice Biennale return
The work will be a return to the Venice Biennale for Scotland Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... An artist duo who met working in queer cabaret in Edinburgh is to represent Scotland as it returns to the Venice Biennale. Scotland has not taken part the art expo - one of the oldest art festivals in the world - in two years, however a review of its participation earlier this year opted to re-enter the event. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Bugarin + Castle - aka Davide Bugarin and Angel Cohn Castle - are to present a 'multi-layered new project', drawing on queer histories, Scottish archives and Filipino cultural heritage. They said: 'We first met performing in the mess and noise of queer cabaret in Edinburgh. A decade later, that spirit still drives our practice. 'We're thrilled to show new work together in Venice, transforming the venue with spatial and drag-inflected interventions that confront questions of gendered performance and colonial sound control, rooted in our lived experience. We aim to trouble easy narratives on the contested ground of identity today.' Scotland's participation in the Biennale was paused in 2023 amid financial concerns. However, Scotland + Venice, a partnership between a range of organisations including Creative Scotland, British Council Scotland and the Scottish Government, said earlier this year a review had opted to restart participation in the prestigious event. It said it would be a 'more efficient model', prioritising lower-carbon travel, more sustainable logistics and hybrid ways of working. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Although Scotland does not have its own pavilion - and is incorporated into the British Pavilion at the Bienniale, it has previously staged a number of "collateral" shows on the fringes of the main sites. A total of 29 countries have official pavilions at the event, regarded as one of the most significant international platforms within the global art world. Bugarin + Castle, Davide Bugarin and Angel Cohn Castle are to represent Scotland at the Venice Biennale. | Scotland + Venice Alastair Evans, chair of Scotland + Venice Partnership, said: 'Scotland + Venice 2026 presents a timely opportunity to showcase the diversity, innovation and internationalism of contemporary Scottish art. 'This presentation reflects the depth of collaboration, critical engagement and inclusive practice that defines the Programme's future direction.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Bugarin + Castle's recent interactive film Sore Throat, shot in Edinburgh and Manila, explored colonial monsters and sound in queer Filipino spaces, showing in a solo exhibition at Fruitmarket as well as at Tate Modern and international venues. Via custom software, gallery audience voices were unknowingly recorded and replayed within the film, implicating them as antagonists in its narrative. Bugarin + Castle also perform in drag as Hairy Teddy Bear and Pollyfilla, through Pollyanna, a Scottish queer arts company founded by Castle, now in its 10th year. Forma, an arts charity working across the UK and internationally, will provide production support for the film element of the new work, building on the organisation's previous Scotland + Venice experience working with Alberta Whittle in 2022. The work will be shown in Venice from 9 May to 22 November next year. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mount Stuart Trust, based on the Isle of Bute, will curate the project, working with the artists and a series of partners. The Venice exhibition will return for an exhibition at Mount Stuart on Bute in Summer 2027, before further presentations in Scotland to be announced. Emma Nicolson, head of visual arts at Creative Scotland, said: 'We are thrilled to support Mount Stuart Trust and Bugarin + Castle as they lead Scotland's return to Venice with a commission that speaks powerfully to the rich and diverse contemporary art practice that we have in Scotland.

The National
an hour ago
- The National
Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026 mascot unveiled as Finnie the unicorn
Finnie, a unicorn with a traffic cone for a horn, made her first official appearance at the city's famous Finnieston Crane on Wednesday to mark a year until the start of the games. The mascot was designed with the help of school children from Glasgow and replaces Clyde the Thistle, who was the mascot for the last Glasgow games in 2014. (Image: Glasgow2026 / Craig Watson) (Image: Glasgow2026 / Craig Watson) More than 3000 athletes are set to compete in a 10-sport programme across four of the city's iconic venues from July 23 to August 2 next year. It is a cut-down version of the games, after the Australian state of Victoria backed out for financial reasons. READ MORE: Scottish designer creates tartan for Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games Finnie's horn is a take on the famous traffic cone placed on the top of the Duke of Wellington statue in Glasgow city centre. She also has a silver flash in her shoes, which is meant to be a homage to the city's shipbuilding history, as well as star-spangled arms in a nod to the Barrowland Ballroom, and a flowing purple mane which is inspired by the lights that shine on the OVO Hydro venue at night. (Image: Jeff Holmes) Finnie is set to attend a number of events on Wednesday to mark the one-year countdown to the games, including meeting First Minister John Swinney and a number of athletes such as 10,000m champion Eilish McColgan and Olympic medalist Eilidh Doyle. In a statement released on her behalf, the mascot said: "I'll be at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games next summer with a grin, a wave, maybe even a wee dance. READ MORE: Ozzy Osbourne dies 'surrounded by love' at the age of 76, family says "I'm here to turn the nerves into excitement, stir the cheers and help turn every moment into something magic as Glasgow 2026 swings into the city." Glasgow 2026 chief executive Phil Batty said: "Finnie represents everything Glasgow 2026 is about – fun, friendliness and of course that little bit of magic! "She'll be at the heart of everything that's exciting about these Games, from building up the crowd to hyping the athletes."


Scotsman
2 hours ago
- Scotsman
Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026 official mascot
Finnie was imagined with the help of 76 children from 24 schools across Glasgow. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The official mascot of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games has been revealed - marking a year to go until the event. Finnie, a Glaswegian unicorn, was unveiled on Wednesday morning at the top of the city's famous Finnieston Crane, which is also her namesake. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The unicorn could be seen alongside a special banner on top of the Clydeside landmark to announce her arrival and symbolically mark 365 days to go until the Games. Finnie was imagined with the help of 76 children from 24 schools from communities across Glasgow - known as Mascot Makers. The mascot's aerial entrance marks the start of a day of events celebrating the one-year countdown during which she will meet Scottish athletes. She will also be introduced to Scotland's First Minister John Swinney, Glasgow's Lord Provost Jaqueline McLaren alongside the Mascot Makers. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Make sure you keep up to date with news from across Scotland by signing up to our free newsletter here. Finnie is a unicorn due to its unique and proud place as the national animal of Scotland. | Craig Watson Finnie's signature feature is a horn inspired by the famous traffic cone on top of the Duke of Wellington statue outside Glasgow's Gallery of Modern of Art (GOMA). As well as her horn, Finnie has a silver flash in her shoes in homage to the Clyde's shipbuilding history and she got her earring from the Glasgow Coat of Arms. Her purple mane is inspired by the bright lights of Games-time venue The Hydro and the world-famous Barrowland Ballroom gave her sparkling stars on her arms and nose. She also wears a friendship bracelet created by the Mascot Makers and will be spotted making a heart-shaped gesture as her signature move. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In a statement released alongside the launch, Finnie said: 'I'll be at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games next summer with a grin, a wave, maybe even a wee dance. 'I'm here to turn the nerves into excitement, stir the cheers and help turn every moment into something magic as Glasgow 2026 swings into the city.' The Mascot Makers wanted Finnie to be a unicorn due to its unique and proud place as the national animal of Scotland. Earlier this year, they took part in a creative workshop at Glasgow City Chambers where they worked in groups to design their ideal mascot. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A unicorn emerged as the clear favourite. Their mood boards inspired Finnie's final look, and a focus group of pupils later reviewed design drafts, with their feedback helping to shape the final mascot who was brought to life by Glasgow creative agency 999 Design, Scottish actor Libby McArthur and Impact Arts. The mascot Finnie was revealed on Wednesday. | Craig Watson Maskeen Bhullar, 11, attends St Patrick's Primary School in Anderston and helped to create the mascot. 'It has been an extraordinary experience being part of the Mascot Maker team for the 2026 Commonwealth Games,' he said. 'The last time the Commonwealth Games were held in Glasgow I was one year old. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I want to be an athlete one day and take part in a future Commonwealth Games. Being involved in creating the mascot has inspired me even more to work towards that dream. 'To me, the mascot represents my city, Glasgow, and stands as a symbol of the 2026 Commonwealth Games. It's something I'll always feel proud to have contributed to.' Games to see more than 3,000 athletes in Glasgow The Games, which will take place from July 23 to August 2 2026, are expected to welcome more than 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories. The competition will feature a packed programme of 10 sports and six Para sports across four Glasgow venues. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad More than 200 medals will be awarded during the 11-day event. Finnie will now begin a busy schedule of appearances at schools, sporting events and community celebrations across the country ahead of the Opening Ceremony next July. Finnie is preparing to entertain crowds during Glasgow 2026. | Craig Watson Glasgow 2026 chief executive Phil Batty OBE said: 'Finnie represents everything Glasgow 2026 is about – fun, friendliness and of course that little bit of magic! 'She'll be at the heart of everything that's exciting about these Games, from building up the crowd to hyping the athletes. She'll visit communities across Glasgow, Scotland and beyond, and bring them all together next summer. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It means so much that she comes from the imaginations of Glasgow's young people.