The Voice’s Chrislyn Hamilton Vows to Forge a Career in Music

Published 9:33am 22 June 2018

Chrislyn Hamilton's last song on Channel 9's The Voice was Cher's If I Could Turn Back Time, but unlike the singer of the song she has no reservations about her performance or decision to give another shot at reality television.

The Clontarf resident first sang for television audiences in 2008 on Australian Idol, where she made the top five. In 2012, she was a semi-finalist on Australia’s Got Talent but concedes she struggled to maintain the momentum needed to capitalise on that exposure.

She’s determined to grab the chance with both hands this time around.

“Being 17 and going through such a huge thing … people don’t realise the gravity of what people are going through. I came off the show (Australian Idol) and was faced with adult situations. I think there was a reason for me going through that. I can handle what’s to come,” Chrislyn says.

Putting herself on the reality TV stage this time around took courage, but the little man in her life — son Zario, 2 — inspired her to step into the spotlight once more.

“I had stopped singing. I felt like I couldn’t get anywhere with it. When I had my son things changed, it made me realise I need to do what I love doing. I want my son to grow up knowing he can do that … what better way to show him,” she explains. But even with that determination, stepping out on to the stage for The Voice blind auditions to sing Aretha Franklin’s (You make me feel like) A Natural Woman was terrifying.

“I’ve done a lot of things, I’ve sung in front of a lot of people and this has to be the most nerve-racking thing I’ve ever done,” Chrislyn recalls.

She says it’s dead quiet, the judges’ backs are facing the singers and they don’t know what’s going to happen.

“I walked out there not knowing what was going on. I had to make a decision — do I sing to try to impress or do I sing for the audience. I sang for the audience and didn’t hold back.”

So, any regrets after being knocked out in round two? “If I could turn back time, I wouldn’t change a thing,” she laughs. “Everything was original and authentic for me.

“I could not have asked for any more than that. I’m happy with the outcome and the experience as a whole. Being unapologetically myself. This is me and this is what I want to do in my life.”

Venue managers in greater Brisbane had better look out, Chrislyn plans to knock on your door. She vows to put emotions and self doubt to one side and chase her dream to be a musician, specialising in soul and R & B — the genre that makes her heart sing.

“I’m just going to focus on that for as long as it takes until I get there,” she says.

“When I sing for people, it’s great to see people connect with me … seeing the emotion in them — it gives me purpose. It’s a real gift and I’m so grateful. If I’m not singing, I feel lost. I did myself proud. I got as far as I did based on myself. It was just me.”