IT was The Voice Australia's Susan Boyle moment - 90 seconds of sensory overload that almost floored vision-impaired singer Rachael Leahcar
With a degenerative disorder robbing her of 90 per cent of her sight, the 18-year-old had the nation in tears after being led on stage and then stealing the show.
The irony of being discovered during the "blind" auditions of the hottest new talent search series in local TV history is not lost on the cheeky teen, who won over the superstar coaches with her voice before they heard her inspiring story.
The emotion-charged episode touched local diva Delta Goodrem, moving her to share her own against-the-odds victory over cancer.
Goodrem went on to say: "Rachael is an extraordinary human being who has a very unique talent - her voice. Her voice left me no other choice but to turn my chair.
"Rachael has a gift which is truly special and her story is an inspiration. I have no doubt that we will be a great team and I am honoured that she chose me as her coach."
It was a mentoring match made in TV heaven - with Leahcar's angelic performance of Edith Piaf's La Vie En Rose now set to be a guaranteed YouTube and iTunes hit.
While Boyle struggled with her instant fame at 48, the Adelaide teenager has embraced her reality TV opportunity with humour.
"I was the first to draw their attention to the irony of (the blind auditions). I think it's hilarious," she said last night.
But the overwhelming reaction from the live audience was almost the young singer's undoing.
"When I first heard them cheering I was just overwhelmed with emotion that people would be cheering for me," she said. "It was the best feeling in the world, ever, for anyone to experience."
Her performance should also cement The Voice as the breakout hit of 2012, setting a ratings record for the biggest audience ever for a talent show on debut.
*Sorry about the video guys, I will try and find a working link soon :) *
video might work here http://video.heraldsun.com.au/2223661578/Blind-singer-dazzles-judges
source 1 & 2