CHEALSEA Saliga had progressively won the recent ‘2017 Solo Icon Award’ in front of patriotic fans and massive loyal audience of the popular local singing competition at the Multipurpose Hall in Honiara.
The decision to declare the young female singer as this year’s crowned Solo Icon winner was met with widespread approval from the panel of judges. She beat competition favorites: Danny and Junior to scoop the famous prestigious singing competition award.
Speaking to Solomon Women after the crowning, Chealsea expressed her profound honor and acknowledgement to the local supporters and organizers of the singing competition.
“It is a great honor for me to be declared winner of the 2017 Solo Icon. Am proud of myself for being committed during my vocal trainings; and to be able to achieve my passionate dream.
“I want to say thank you so much to my parents and other immediate family members for their great support towards my preparations to this very big day. I love you so much, thank you everybody including my loyal fans for your encouragement and prayers. I really appreciate this because this is what I actually aimed for,” she added.
Solo Icon, formerly Solo Idol, is a Solomon Islands yearly singing competition, established in 2006 but not part of the Idol franchise. The competition was later named “Solo Idol” from 2006 to 2008, but changed its name to “Solo Icon” in 2009.
The young singer from the Malaita Province is currently doing her form 4 at the Saint Nicholas College in Honiara.
She decisively won icon category by performing the much-loved classic song of the late singer and actress, Whitney Houston – ‘I will always love you’. The panel of judges were impressed by her passionate performance even when compared her voice to Houston.
“It is my passion to sing and I have practised my vocals since my childhood days,” she said. “I would like to encourage young people with the passion and gift to sing to continue on with their individual passion and talent; do not hesitate to publicly showcase your God given gift,” Chealsea added.
She also competed in the ‘School Star Category’ with her fellow talented students from Saint Nicholas College. However, they only managed to secure the third spot award in the finals of that specific category. Mbua Valley Community High School scooped first price that particular category.
