The Voice: WA contestants Reuben De Melo and Queency take the stage in the Battle Rounds
WA contestants Reuben De Melo and Queency will fight to stay in the competition on The Voice tonight when they perform in the final of three Battle Rounds.
A fly-in, fly-out miner, Perth-raised De Melo was recruited by all-star coach LeAnn Rimes following his soulful blind audition performance of Ed Sheeran’s I See Fire.
“I had goosebumps from the moment you opened your mouth,” Rimes told the father-of-three.
With a spot in the knockout stages up for grabs, the 31-year-old will face off against his Rimes teammate Larissa Kovalchuk, as the pair perform Leonard Cohen’s classic Hallelujah.
Camera IconThe Voice Battles. Credit: James Gourley
The humble rigger views his appearance on the show as a ticket to escaping his taxing life on the mine site — and provide a better one for his kids.
“I just love the music and if I can pay the bills doing that while spending more time with the kids, then I won’t be a machine,” he said.
Camera IconThe Voice contestant and FIFO worker Reuben de Melo. Credit: Michael Wilson/The West Australian
Fellow WA competitor Queency will also look to prove his star power tonight as a member of Adam Lambert’s team.
The 33-year-old flexed his vocal muscles in the blind audition stages when his colourful take on Marvin Gaye’s Sexual Healing had the crowd up and dancing.
“I could tell even with my back turned that there was a flamboyance that I obviously identify with,” Lambert told the singer.
Matching the frenetic energy of his rock star coach, the charismatic performer is looking to break out of the WA music scene and into the wider world of showbusiness.
But he’ll have to get past his Lambert teammate Chloe Kay to get there, performing Aretha Franklin’s full-bodied hit Chain of Fools in harmony.
Camera IconThe Voice – Battles Credit: James Gourley/James Gourley
Growing up as ‘Quentin’ on Reunion Island, Queency moved to Perth 15 years ago as he felt he wasn’t able to fully express himself back home.
The entertainer studied accounting to ease his mother’s concerns over pursuing a music career, and now works as an auditor.
Whether he stays in the competition or says goodbye, Queency will put on a show.
The Voice airs on Sunday, September 29, on Channel 7 and 7HD at 7pm
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