8 year old Belfast girl goes viral singing at local pride street party
You NEED to hear this 👏
Last updated 6th Aug 2021
Young Isla McManus from Belfast is destined to be a star...a Cool Saturday Show Star!
At just eight years old, Isla can belt out a tune like no other. Her mum Alana got in touch with Stuart Robinson and the Cool Saturday Show team, after a flawless performance of Dance Monkey at her local Pride street party in Tiger's Bay.
Since sharing the video on social media on Saturday it now has over ONE MILLION views and counting. Isla has become a viral superstar, with fans from all over the world sharing the love and commenting underneath her perfect rendition.
Isla's mum Alana opens up about her daughter's journey with autism and music: "We've always known Isla was special, she's always loved singing. They say that children with autism have something that they're amazing at, something that they focus on and love, since no age Isla has been singing. And as she keeps getting older, she just gets better!
"Isla was celebrating Pride at her Aunt's house, and I was on my way to go pick her up when I heard someone say over the microphone we've got a little girl here who would like to sing Dance Monkey...I knew straight away it was her. I arrived just in time to film it. It was lovely, everyone did a bit of a whip around for her, she made about £20. But she's sensible, she told me she's going to keep it safe in her money box.
Isla might be a dab hand at covers, but she's also a budding songwriter too. Mum Alana adds: "She sings everyday, that's her wee way of calming down. She makes up her own songs about what's happening throughout the day, she'd rather sing her own now than anyone else's.
As a family, on the way to school there's only one radio station allowed on, Cool FM of course. "We'd always have it on in the mornings, Isla loves the 'Cool before School' feature with the breakfast team, we're always laughing away in the car."
Cool FM's Stuart Robinson commented: "We're all about the music here at Cool FM, and when it comes to local talent like Isla's we just had to share it with the world. We've had comments online from people in America and Spain, they love her. What a voice from someone so young, she's fantastic. The future is bright for Isla that's for sure!"
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