Rachael has done it! Laois will have a representative in the grand final of a popular new RTE singing game show.
Rachael Farrell from Mountmellick is one step away from winning €25,000 after she won the third episode of Last Singer Standing which aired on RTE this evening.
The 35-year-old entered the fray into part 2 of tonight’s episode where she went up against Anna who had won Round 1.
Her rendition of the nightclub classic ‘Show Me Love’ by Robin S wowed her fellow contestants and she was voted through.
Then, Rachael performed the ABBA classic ‘Dancing Queen’ in the final part of the show.
She sang so well that none of her fellow contestants challenged her – meaning she got to choose who faced her for a shot in the final.
Rachael chose nurse Charlotte from Bray and she sang Take That’s ‘Back For Good’ – but the audience put the Laois singer through with 72% of the vote.
Judges Samatha Mumba, Nadine Coyle and Joey Fatone were waxing lyrical about Rachael all night and she will be one of the favourites in the final.
As she showed tonight, Rachael is no stranger to performing and has been singing pretty much all of her life.
In 2014, Rachael auditioned for the Voice of Ireland – and although she didn’t get beyond the blind auditions, the show opened the door to a career in music once again.
Speaking to LaoisToday last week, Rachael said: “I made it to the blind auditions but none of the judges turned around for me. However, my audition was televised and I was approached by a band.
“They are called Monroe and they are a four-piece rock band based in Carlow who gig around the country.
“They were looking for a girl to fill in for their lead singer so I started doing that and I loved it – I got a real feel for performing live and I knew this is what I wanted to do.
“So that girl eventually left the band and I came in full time – and seven years later I am still there.
“While I was with them, I was approached by a six-piece wedding band called The Bratz. They are based in Dublin and were looking for a lead singer.
“I auditioned with them five years ago and am with them ever since.
“So I sing at the weekend and, for the last 16 years, I have worked part time in a Chinese takeaway in Portlaoise during the week – so I’m certainly kept busy.”
Roll on the grand final!
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