Copyright news
Drummond, who recently quit her daytime job to go all-in on becoming a musician like she’s always dreamt, had all the judges on their feet when she stepped onto the stage for the first time. “It all happens so fast you’re still catching your breath while it’s going on. Mel C actually used her ultimate Block on me, which was a bit mind-blowing,” she confessed. “She came across as really grounded and professional, and you can tell she’s spent her life in those high-pressure environments where you’ve got to be all in. We even realised we had a couple of mutual connections in the industry. Afterwards, walking out with her to meet my family just felt like chatting backstage at a gig, normal and surreal all at once.” After her first performance, fans rushed to social media to lavish praise on the singer, with one commenting: “That is so inspiring! She was absolutely amazing and got everyone, coaches included, on their feet. That was impressive!” “She’s good. Finally, a singer with a different performance this season,” complimented another. Drummond went on to call the experience of being on the show a musical version of Survivor and more intense than a full-time job. “It’s like a cross between summer camp and Survivor, everyone’s friendly, but you can tell we’re all sizing each other up a little. I’ve done plenty of live shows, but this is a different beast altogether. It really is a full-time job being part of the show, lots of early morning starts and lots of sitting about waiting for your time to perform, which means you have plenty of time in your own head, which can compound the nerves! I didn’t expect how fast everything moves once it’s your time and the scale of it all, the lights, the crew, it’s all happening at once.” “You’ve got to make confident choices in split seconds. For me, that was actually a gift, it forced me to back myself without hesitation. The hardest part wasn’t the singing; it was the mental focus. I had to tune out the gossip and the compare-and-despair that creeps in when you’re surrounded by so much talent. Staying present with the lyrics and the story was everything for me. Despite having done “countless gigs” during her lifetime, she added that the experience was a lot more daunting than she had first imagined. “The silence before the first note. I’ve done countless gigs, but that moment with the whole room holding its breath felt unlike anything else. I thought I knew what to expect after watching the show for years and knowing others who’d auditioned, but it’s such a hybrid: part real gig, part TV set,” she added. “You’re not told much, so you’re walking into the unknown. That makes the first note unforgettable.
