From city choir to X Factor
AN IPSWICH songstress has taken her soulful voice from the Sunday church congregation to a national television audience tuning into the X Factor.
Valencia Fesolai, 18, wowed the X Factor judges with a rendition of Aretha Franklin's Natural Woman on Wednesday.
She trained voice while singing at the Church of Jesus Christ at Raceview for many years.
The former St Mary's College pupil joined Ipswich singer and guitarist Adil Memon in the audition stage of the Channel 7 talent show.
The QUT law student has deferred her studies to follow her dream of establishing a singing career.
"That has always been my goal from when I was a little girl. I'm studying law but is just to fall back on," she said.
Since her performance, Ms Fesolai's friends and family have rallied around her since the stunning performance.
Ms Fesolai was visibly emotional as the judges quizzed her before she sang.
She didn't want the tears to distract from her vocal brilliance.
"When I heard the music it made me angry because I went there to show people what I could do."
