By Emilie Ng
FATAI Veamatahau stunned Australia with her striking vocals and quirky personality on The Voice in 2012, but it’s her love for Jesus that’s made the 19-year-old musician feel “crazy blessed”.
After a whirlwind two years “trusting in God’s timing for everything”, Fatai’s career has started to speed up, with more than 160,000 Facebook fans, a record deal with Universal Music Australia and the chance to tour nationally with Puerto-Rican American band Boyce Avenue.
Shortly after being eliminated from The Voice in 2012, Fatai made a guest appearance at Melbourne’s Catholic archdiocesan youth event, Gracefest, and continues inspiring other Christians to be bold and public about their faith.
Appearing on The Voice was just one opportunity among many to evangelise. But competing on the reality talent show had never crossed Fatai’s mind, who said she was “personally not a fan”.
“But ironically I went on one because my name was put in for it,” Fatai said.
She said she developed “a close connection” with series winner Karise Eden, whom she described as “the least spiritual person” on the show.
“My favourite part on the show beyond the whole music part was the opportunity to share the love of God with my closest friend on the show who actually won, Karise Eden,” Fatai said. “Karise came from a really tough background and upbringing, no mum.
“I found myself in a position of simply loving her, not Bible bashing, just giving her love and pouring out the love of God on her, where there was none when she was growing up. That’s the reason I think God put me there.”
Two years on from being a finalist in The Voice, Fatai is making ground in her career, releasing endearing pop song covers on her social media accounts. The young singing sensation is also in the middle of recording her debut album. Having a guitar at hand or piano keys at her fingertips is where Fatai’s magic and soul really shine.
“Writing is where my heart’s at,” Fatai said. “I definitely believe that God’s instilled that huge passion and I think I’ve inherited from Him, that creative, inventive spirit.”
Music and faith have been the backbone of Fatai’s childhood, having grown up a Baptist pastor’s daughter in a loud musical Tongan family. Fatai said she gave her life to Christ years before she was a teenager.
“Right from the beginning I knew nothing but the love of music and the love for God,” she said. “When I gave my life to Christ, I knew I wanted to know more about this Jesus.”
Music has become an essential part of Fatai’s mission to tell the whole world about God’s love.
“It’s that avenue for me to tell my stories, to share what I’m about through lyrics and songs,” Fatai said. “Every opportunity to sing is another opportunity to please God and to love people. I believe God has called me out to share His love with the world, not just through music but the way I live and the decisions I make every day.
“It’s been a long time coming. He had to do a lot more in me. I’m excited to share Jesus to the world through my music.”
Fatai will feature at Christian youth event Stand Tall on November 13 at Knox Grammar School. For more details visit www.standtallevent.com.
