By Claire Corrigan
There must be something in the water! Two Mullingar singers are taking over ‘The Voice of Ireland’ TV show, with local women Caoimhe McCarthy and Michaella Hogg getting through to the next round of battles on last Sunday’s programme.
19-year-old Media Studies and English second year student Caoimhe was chosen to progress to the next round after being paired with Sarah Moore to sing Rihanna’s ‘Unfaithful’.
Mentor Rachel Stevens said that there was a lot of really good female vocalists in the competition and the girls needed to set themselves apart. Speaking about her competitor’s voice, Sarah said “She has an amazing range and a nearly operatic voice which is very different to my voice.”
Kian Egan said that while they had both performed well, the edgy lyrics called for more rawness than they had delivered. “Both of you sang that song very sweetly, which isn’t a bad thing but for that song I think you need a bit more gruffness.”
Una Foden said she had wanted to see a bit more of a battle between the girls who have become friends during the competition. “You’re both wonderful though and it’s going to be such a tough decision.”
Presenter Kathryn Thomas quizzed Bressie on his preference between the two singers, teasingly saying “It’s either Caoimhe who’s from Mullingar, or Sarah, who’s not from Mullingar,” with Bressie confessing he preferred Caoimhe’s “contemporary female pop voice.”
Rachel said that it was a tough song to sing and they both did an amazing job but that she had to go with her heart and take Caoimhe through to the next round.
It took the Mullingar native a couple of minutes to realise that she had gone through and she didn’t react for several seconds before leaping up and covering her mouth with her hand in shock and rushing over to hug her mentor, Rachel. Afterwards she confessed to presenter Eoghan McDermott that that she had been so sure Sarah would be chosen, it hadn’t registered that she had made it through. “I’m shaking. I just thought, “It’s going to be Sarah.” and I was waiting and I didn’t hear my name but I also didn’t hear hers.”
Another Westmeath woman, Michaela Hogg also succeeded in progressing to the next round on the show. “I’m absolutely delighted to be on team Bressie because Bressie is from Mullingar and so am I, so a bit of home spirit.”
Recalling the blind auditions, 18-year-old Michaella Hogg said, “Mam and Dad were there and they were all buzzing and then they all starting crying. It was a bit embarrassing,” she said jokingly.
Michaela works in a vintage clothes shop and is a big fan of sixties style, however her great love is singing. “I love singing and I want it to be the main profession I have in my life.”
Along with Moylan Brunnock she sang Elvis’ “Always on my Mind” with Bressie ultimately choosing the Waterford native over Michaela.
However Una Foden was quick to grasp the opportunity to “steal” Michaela, saying, “I couldn’t let her go so I was on the button straight away. I’m delighted to get you.”
You can watch Caoimhe and Michaela on ‘The Voice of Ireland’ Sunday nights at 6.30pm on RTÉ ONE.
