The Voice of Family and a Broadway Soul: The Young Stars of Ireland’s Got Talent
The latest episode of Ireland’s Got Talent showcased two young vocalists who proved that age is truly just a number when it comes to power and passion. 13-year-old Shaniah and 9-year-old Cora Harkin took to the stage, each delivering a performance that resonated deeply with the judges and the audience for very different reasons.
Shaniah, who recently moved to Dublin from the Philippines, shared a moving motivation for entering the competition. She told the judges that if she won the €50,000 prize, she would use it to bring her brothers and sisters to Ireland so her family could finally be whole again. Her rendition of Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors” was a masterclass in emotional restraint and vocal control. Michelle Visage described it as “effortless and pitch-perfect,” while Louis Walsh marveled at the remarkable maturity in her voice. With a clean sweep of four “yeses,” Shaniah took a major step toward making her family’s dream a reality.
Following Shaniah was the pint-sized powerhouse Cora Harkin from Derry City. At just nine years old, Cora commanded the stage with a confidence that Denise Van Outen compared to a young Barbra Streisand. Performing “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” Cora’s booming vocals and theatrical flair left the judges in total shock. Louis Walsh even predicted that in twenty years, people would look back at this audition as the moment a global star was born. Both girls earned unanimous support from the panel, proving that the future of Irish music is in very talented hands.
