Tiny Powerhouses: Cora Harkin and Shaniah Stun the Judges on Ireland’s Got Talent
The latest episode of Ireland’s Got Talent proved that the smallest performers often carry the biggest voices. The night was stolen by two young girls who brought the house down with performances that belied their years, earning high praise and a clean sweep of “yeses” from the judging panel.
First up was 9-year-old Cora Harkin from Derry City. Walking onto the stage with a bright smile, Cora looked every bit the sweet schoolgirl—until she started to sing. Launching into a powerhouse rendition of Barbra Streisand’s “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” Cora displayed a level of vocal control and stage presence that left the judges in shock. Denise Van Outen dubbed her the “second coming of Barbra Streisand,” while Jason Byrne joked that her parents must have to fix the windows at home every day because of her booming voice. Louis Walsh went even further, predicting that in 20 years, people will look back at this clip and say this was where a global superstar was born.
Following Cora was 13-year-old Shaniah, who recently moved to Dublin from the Philippines. Shaniah’s motivation for entering the competition was deeply personal; she revealed that if she won the €50,000 prize, she would use the money to fly her brothers and sisters to Ireland so their family could be together again. Her performance of Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors” was an emotional and pitch-perfect tribute that brought a hush over the auditorium. Michelle Visage praised her for singing from the heart, while Louis Walsh marveled at her effortless control. With four “yeses,” Shaniah took a massive step toward reuniting her family.
