Check out this incredible audition from the archives of The Voice Australia! A shy 19-year-old singer wowed the judges when she sang ‘His Eye is on the Sparrow’ and earned chair turns from all four of the judges! The judges back in 2018 on season 7 were Joe Jonas, Delta Goodrem, Kelly Rowland, and Boy George—and those MegaWatt stars saw serious star power in Somer Smith of Melbourne, Victoria!
After a very brief clip of what’s to come, we meet Somer just before she appears in front of the judges. She is humble and just hopes to “turn a chair,” but she’s not entirely certain she will. Somer says that she’s taking a “leap of faith,” because she’s never taken singing much further than performing in front of her family.
Somer makes her way to the stage and takes a few moments before beginning her audition. She gets situated, closes her eyes, breathes, and looks to her right at her accompaniment before singing her first note. The judges, while they can’t see her, know what is taking place. They’ve been there.
When Miss Somer opens her mouth, though… Wow! She is only 16 seconds into the song as she beautifully lands the word “come.” It’s the last one of line two of this inspiring hymn written by Civilla D. Martin in 1905 and famously sung by Ethel Waters when she gave her testimony at Billy Graham Crusades. Delta turns her chair first, followed immediately by Boy George and Kelly. Joe takes another ten seconds or so, and he’s facing the incredible singer with the others.
At 1:47, Somer becomes almost overwhelmed by the excitement of seeing all four judges looking her way, but she regains focus and demonstrates incredible feeling and emotion as she delivers a wonderfully soulful rendition of the song she’s chosen. And, she has chosen well indeed!
Somer’s family watches her stun and stir the judges and audience, no doubt with a lot of help from the one whom she sings about! Dad’s face is wet with tears of joy, and, when she finishes and gets a standing ovation from all four, her family laughs, jumps, pumps their fists, and hollers out loud. Somer has a lot of fans!
Once she is finished, Somer listens to impassioned pitches from each of the judges. Each explains why they think she should choose them. When she’s asked why she sings, she shares that she does it because she sings to something higher than herself. She feels called. The judges seem to agree; they see a star in the making.
Ultimately, Somer decides to go with Team Kelly. Kelly, who was the last judge to argue her case, made comments that resonated with Somer. Kelly told Somer that she’d take her all the way. Somer did not go all the way and was eliminated in the battle rounds during her season, but her voice will be touching people for years to come, just like it did back in 2018!
“Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young— a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God.” Psalms 84:3
