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Heartwarming moment Delta Goodrem hugs Tourettes sufferer
We’re used to seeing The Voice give us goosebumps.
But last night, fans of the show were left feeling warm and fuzzy when a 15-year-old with Tourette Syndrome took to the stage and won hearts across Australia.
After impressing all four judges with her rendition of Different Worlds, Aja Elshaikh opened up about how singing has helped ease her symptoms.
Delta gives Aja a huge hug after bravely sharing her story about the medical condition she lives with, seen here with 2016 contestant Adam Ladell, who also has Tourettes. Source: Nine
“When I sing, I forget that I even have Tourette’s and my ticks, as well as everything else around me, seems to melt away,” Aja said.
Australian judge Delta Goodrem was so touched by the teens heartwarming story, she went up on stage and enveloped her in a huge hug.
Aja Elshaikh wowed judges on The Voice and then revealed she suffers with Tourette Syndrome. Source: Nine
“Would you like to be on my team?” she said, putting her arms out for the embrace.
Earlier Aja had explained that the pair had met back in 2016 when Delta was coaching fellow Tourettes sufferer Adam Ladell and thanked her for raising awareness with the often “misunderstood” condition.
Tourette Syndrome is a neurological condition that causes sufferers to to experience physical and vocal ticks.
For Aja — who showed physical signs of the condition during her performance — the blind auditions format of the show gave her confidence to perform.
“Singing to the back of a chair, you know, they can’t see my ticks, it just removes any bias,” she said.
After charming Australia with her story, Boy George affectionately said Aja had been “Deltafied”.
We’re looking forward to seeing more of her over the coming season.
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