Tarryn Stokes knows what it’s like to stand on a stage singing carols, looking out at a sea of people holding candles. But until now, she’s only ever experienced it as a backing vocalist.
As a member of the Melbourne Gospel Choir, Tarryn supported the 2019 winner of The Voice, Diana Rouvas, when she sang at a carols event four years ago. At the time, Tarryn says, she couldn’t have imagined herself in Diana’s place.
Tarryn won The Voice 2023.
(Image: Supplied)“I didn’t think I would win if I even went into [The Voice],” she tells TV WEEK.
“I always look at other people and think, ‘Oh, they’re so good!’ But oh my gosh, my dream was always to do a solo at a carols [concert].”
This year, at Woolworths Carols In The Domain, that dream is becoming a reality for Tarryn. Having been crowned the winner of The Voice in October, the 40-year-old mum-of-two will take centre stage as part of a line-up that includes Casey Donovan, Dami Im, Rhonda Burchmore and The Wiggles.
“Casey is such a great singer and it’s awesome whenever she sings any Christmas songs,” Tarryn says. “And I can’t wait to hear her and meet Dami.”
Tarryn was previously a backing vocalist.
(Image: Supplied)Tarryn, who has just released her version of the classic carol “Silent Night”, is looking forward to a very happy Christmas this year.
The $100,000 prizemoney from The Voice has removed some of the financial stress she and husband Paul had been experiencing. Their children – Archie, four, and Quinn, two – will be getting a trampoline for Christmas, and all four of them are going on a trip to Queensland.
“It’s nice that we can, for the first time in years, have a holiday with the family we don’t have to stress about, and buy everyone presents,” Tarryn says. “It’s a bit of a reprieve.”
It will be hosted by Nat and Matt.
(Image: Instagram)This year, Carols In The Domain will be hosted by Sunrise’s Nat Barr and Matt Shirvington. While Nat has been hosting Carols for several years, it will be Matt’s first time, and he says he’s “really excited” about it.
“Nat’s talked it up so much,” the 45-year-old says. “She’s been talking about how good it is for the past six months and now I’ve got to deliver with her!”
Nat’s sure Matt will fully get into the spirit of the night.
“I think he’s as much of a Christmas elf as me!” she says with a laugh.
