ISABELLA Rocha (11), who won Joburg South Has Got Talent with her rendition of Adele’s song, Rolling in the Deep, said she was thrilled when she was announced the winner. The competition was held at Rietvlei Zoo Farm on Saturday, May 6.
Bella, as she is most often called, lives in Meyersdal and attends Marist Brothers Linmeyer, and is just jumping with confidence. Her mom, Ashleigh, said she was singing before she was talking and has never stopped since. “Her dad, Carlos, has been her biggest inspiration and she’s watched him singing at family parties and weddings,” said Ashleigh.
Asking Bella about what she enjoys singing, she said, “I like to sing Michael Jackson, Elton John and Justin Bieber songs. I think my favourite song which really got me into singing was Elton John’s Your Song. I just loved it.
“I remember when I was about four years old and my cousin said if I sang for her she’d let me play on her computer, so I did,” laughed Bella. “I like soul music and rhythm and blues, but I do sing other stuff as well.”
Bella was chosen as the winner from 23 finalists and her number 22 was certainly lucky for her. “All my family came to see me. I was quite nervous until I got into the swing of it and when they announced me as the winner I just couldn’t believe it.”
She enjoys school and says her two best friends are Leyton Manthopoulos and Caeden Myburgh. “Boys are kinder, and quite fun. Leyton and me are going to become study buddies.”
Winning the talent show, Bella received a cheque for R3 000 and a R2 000 Marshall Music voucher. “From the money I’ll save some and donate some to a charity. I’ll just have to think which one. And with my voucher I might buy a microphone.”
One of her dreams is to go to The School of Arts and she’d also like to join The National Children’s Theatre. Another dream is to enter SA’s Got Talent, “That will be awesome.”
She definitely has some favourites, and says she likes lasagne and pizza, Mimmos and Panarottis, her favourite movies are those from the Minions series and her favourite TV programme is The Amazing World of Gumball.
Her seven-year-old sister, Sienna, looks up to Bella and is also keen on singing. “Bella is better than me now though, but I’ll practise and maybe even win a competition too one day,” she said.
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