Thando (musician) explained

Thando Sikwila
Birth Name:Thandolwethu Emily Nomvula Sikwila
Birth Place:Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Origin:Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Occupations:Singer, songwriter
Years Active:2012–present

Thandolwethu Emily Nomvula Sikwila, known mononymously as Thando, is a Zimbabwean Australian singer, songwriter and actor based in Melbourne, Victoria.[1] [2] She's most notable for her appearances on The Voice Australia. She was a contestant on season three, but was eliminated in the sing-offs. She later returned in season eleven and made it to the finals. She also portrayed Effie White in Australia's first professional production of Dreamgirls, presented by StageArt.[3] [4] [5] In 2024, Thando played Joanne in the Australian production of Rent.[6]

Early life

Thando was born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe on 9 April 1993 to parents Nokuthula and Victor Sikwila. Thando is bilingual being able to speak Ndebele.

Career

The Voice Australia 2014

She auditioned for the third season of The Voice Australia with the song Mercy at the age of twenty and chose Kylie Minogue as her coach. She was eliminated in the sing-offs.[7]

The Voice performances and results (2014)
EpisodeSongOriginal ArtistResult
Audition"Mercy"DuffyThrough to The Battles
The Battles"Clown" Emeli SandéLost. Saved by Ricky. Through to the Showdowns
Showdowns"Sex on Fire"Kings of LeonThrough to the Sing-Off
Sing-Off"Mercy"DuffyEliminated

The Voice Australia 2022

She auditioned for The Voice Australia again in 2022, for its eleventh season. She turned all four chairs in her blind audition due to her amazing, powerful and soulful voice,[8] and chose Keith Urban as her coach. She made it to the Grand Finale and ended up placing second, with Lachie Gill taking the $100 000 prize.

The Voice performances and results (2022)
EpisodeSongOriginal ArtistResult
Audition"I'm Every Woman"Chaka KhanThrough to The Callbacks
The Callbacks"I'm Every Woman" Chaka KhanThrough to Battles
Battles"Beggin'"The Four SeasonsThrough to the Sing-Offs
Sing-Offs"Chandelier (song)"SiaSaved by Coach. Through to Semi Final
Semi Final"POV"Ariana GrandeSaved by Coach. Through to Grand Final
Grand Final"Rise Up"Andra DayFinalist
"Oh My God"

Discography

Extended plays

Title! scope="col" style="width:18em;"
Details
Bury The Weapon
  • Released: December 2013
  • Label:
  • Format:
Remix the Weapons
  • Released: November 2014
  • Label:
  • Format:
Digital Love Letters
  • Released: June 2016
  • Label:
  • Format:
Life In Colour
  • Released: 27 August 2021
  • Label: Independent
  • Format: Digital

Singles

Title! scope="col" style="width:1em;"
Year
"Inferno"2013
"Won't You Be Mine"2014
"Trouble"2016
"Something"
"Numb"
(featuring Remi)[9]
2018
“Journey To The Past” (with Greg Gould)2021
"Fall"2022

Guest or featured artist

Notes and References

  1. News: New Musical BOWIE AND MERCURY RISING to Debut at Chapel off Chapel. BroadwayWorld. 28 June 2017.
  2. News: Canberra Weekender: What's on in Canberra January 30 – February 1. Hogan. Jil. 27 January 2015. The Canberra Times. 28 June 2017.
  3. Web site: Renowned composer Warren Willis is debuting a musical about David Bowie and Freddie Mercury in Melbourne. The AU Review. 5 June 2017 . 28 June 2017.
  4. News: From The Voice to Dreamgirls. Herald Sun. 28 June 2017.
  5. News: Cast Announced Australasian Premiere of THE COLOR PURPLE. BroadwayWorld. 28 June 2017.
  6. Web site: Cast/Creatives. March 26, 2024. rentmusical.au.
  7. Web site: Hogan . Jil . 2014-05-26 . Thando Sikwila's battle round outcome on The Voice . 2022-08-04 . The Sydney Morning Herald . en.
  8. Web site: Christmass . Pip . The Voice Australia 2022 judges wowed as soulful singing mum chases dreams . 7 News. 21 March 2022 .
  9. Web site: thando – 'NUMB' ft. Remi Acid Stag. Acidstag.com. 31 January 2018 . 7 May 2018.