Girls just wanna have fun, and Trudy Beach, NikkiJo Tyrrell and Iona Roger did that winning Stars in Your Eyes last Friday.
The Ashburton County Lions contest at the Ashburton Event Centre was again a sell out.
The winner from the 13 contestants was Trudy Beach as Alannah Myles, who sang Black Velvet and also took out People’s Choice.
In second place was NikkiJo Tyrrell. She was Katherine Jenkins singing Parla Pui Piano, a love theme song from The Godfather.
Third place went to Ashburton College student Iona Roger, who was Stevie Nicks singing Silver Springs.
Beach told The Ashburton Courier on Monday morning she was still on ‘‘cloud nine’’.
The 48-year-old had most enjoyed sharing some special time with her daughter Emma Hill, who performed as Adele on the night, behind the scenes, as well as chatting among some familiar faces and hearing the wide range of music throughout the night.
She said she had been singing for at least 43 years.
‘‘I first sung on the back of a truck at an Allenton market day,’’ Beach said.
‘‘I was really excited to be asked to join the Mid Canterbury Country Music Club. From then I proceeded to have music lessons with Barbara Thomas, have never looked back, I really enjoy it.’’
Beach has many favourite performers across all the genres. Despite not being a favourite singer she chose Alannah Myles because the song Black Velvet suited her vocal range.
‘‘Singing this song showed my ability to project myself and also be soft when needed, the song is always a crowd pleaser,’’ Beach said.
‘‘I loved the way it had been set up, I really did have a star moment, was most nervous answering Brent’s questions after the song, as that’s not practiced.’’
Emcee for the night was Ashburton Intermediate Principal Brent Gray, who after a video of each contestant played, asked them ‘And who are you going to be tonight?’ as the contestant then took to the stage to perform their chosen number.
Competitors were judged on impact, costume, voice and likeness to the star. There were three judges: Emily-Jane Farr who has a Bachelor of Performing Arts specialising in music theatre, Libby Higson, a graduate of NASDA, and Toby Lee, who has a Bachelor of Performing Arts specialising in music theatre.
Some of the funds raised from the event will go to Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust.
Organiser Nicki Kelly said the contestants put their heart and soul into their performances.
‘‘While the judges were out deliberating, Rachael McNutt of the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust updated us on Mission 26 with Duncan Barr from Rescue Warriors talking about their bike ride up the length of NZ to raise funds for Mission 26,’’ Kelly said.
Lanae and Bruce Hill from Ashburton also performed, singing three songs.
The members of County Lions aren’t sitting back with their feet up following the successful show. They have now turned their attention to the annual Toot for Tucker foodbank drive on November 17.
