POPSTARS

When Popstars came back to New Zealand in 2021 after more than two decades, Ella knew it was something she wanted to be part of. She made it through the first auditions round and was flown for TV auditions to Wellington. After being one of the few 'yeses' from the first TV audition, she auditioned for the panel (Kimbra, Nathan King and Vince Harder) with a cover song and her original composition. Ella had a nervous cover song start, but then wowed the judges with her original composition, receiving unanimous 'yeses'. This sent her through to the Top 24 and the call-backs.

 

Ella was the first of all finalists to audition at the Parachute Studios call-backs. After performing a slow, sultry rendition of Sam Cooke’s ‘A Change Is Gonna Come,’ she was given 20 minutes to write and perform a song about ‘money,’ using only four chords. Ella received positive feedback for both songs, with the judges liking her original's vibe and direction. Her songwriting was later highlighted in Stuff NZ articles for being “particularly impressive” and “unique”. On the first day, three of her group were eliminated, bringing Ella into the Top 21. Alas, it wasn’t quite meant to be. After a nervous 24 hours of waiting and deliberation, Ella was sent home.

 

“My Popstars journey, while short, was something I’ll never forget. I learnt some valuable lessons – including dealing with rejection – met wonderful people, and had an awesome experience! Going on the show gave me the push I needed to further myself creatively, and I’m grateful for the things I learnt.”