A CO Derry camog who will sing for her place ITV's The Voice tomorrow night, has said without the support from home the process would be "a lot tougher".
Brooke Scullion, a member of the Wolfe Tones Baile Eachaidh GAC in Bellaghy, said she would try her best to "put our wee Bellaghy on the map".
The 20-year-old appeared on the first episode of the new series of the singing talent show last month and was loved by all four celebrity judges.
Her version of Lewis Capaldi’s Bruises prompted will.i.am and Meghan Trainor to turn their seats around almost immediately.
The pair were quickly followed by Olly Murs and Sir Tom Jones, with all four famous faces visibly impressed by the young woman’s vocal capacity.
With an offer from each of the judges to become her mentor, Brooke chose US singing star Meghan Trainor.
A drama student at Ulster University at Magee, Brooke is set for her second appearance tomorrow night when she takes part in the battle rounds.
She will compete against other members of Meghan Trainor's team in the hope of keeping her place and proceeding to the knock out stage of the competition.
Speaking to The Irish News last night Brooke, a senior camog who has played for the Wolf Tones since she was five, revealed she would be singing the Adele hit, Water Under The Bridge.
She said the TV experience was like nothing she had ever done before.
"I am used to singing in bars where no-one wants to listen or at schools but there are four massive stars rooting for you, they only want you to do your best and they see potential," she said.
"I couldn't be happier and that is the bottom line. I am actually proud of myself.
"I am a confident girl and that is a good thing, a positive thing but I fell like people ask me to sing because I was the only person who wanted to sing. I feel in Ireland you can be a big fish in a small pond and you don't want to branch out, it is terrifying. This has given me the opportunity to put myself out there in a way I am not afraid."
Brooke described her star mentor as someone she believed she could learn from.
"She commands the room as soon as she enters it and you know the presence is just something I can only learn from, and the pointers and tips she has given me are invaluable. She is so hands on and makes me as comfortable as possible. I have been looked after, lifted and laid," she said.
She also revealed that the support from home was helping her keep going in the competition.
"Without the support, the process would be a lot tougher," she said.
"People in Ireland want to help. People want to see people doing well and that is a lovely trait. You find yourself sitting some days thinking `Do I deserve to b here' and all you have to do is read back some messages.
"There are no words that could possibly explain how grateful I am and how much the support means. All I can do is try my best and put are wee Bellaghy on the map".
Brooke's friends and fans will come together tomorrow night to watch The Voice at Wolfe Tones Baile Eachaidh GAC in Bellaghy..
Aoife Bradley, who is a PRO for the club and also Brooke's best friend, said there has been "a lot of buzz about the town".
"We are really excited for her and everyone is getting behind her," said the Queen's accountancy student who added they were "all so proud of her".
**The Voice UK continues Saturday, 8.30pm on ITV
