Just when we thought The Voice couldn’t deliver any more feels we met 16-year-old Adam Ladell and were proved wrong.
Speaking to the camera before going onstage, the Victorian teen shared that he suffers from Tourette Syndrome, saying he was worried “that people might laugh at me.”
Remarkably, singing is the one thing that can control his Tourette’s.
The syndrome, which is a neurological disorder, is characterised by involuntary physical and vocal movements known as tics. Sufferers are often subject to vocal outbursts they cannot control, and historically have been ridiculed in popular culture.
"I want to be seen as a person who is just the same as everybody else," Ladell said before singing. "Thinks the same, acts the same, just has a disability."
Within seconds of starting his performance of Coldplay's Trouble, the teen had the crowd screaming and all five judges hearing the unbridled talent in his voice.
Ronan Keating was the first to turn, with the other four judges all joining him shortly thereafter.
Ladell's disability completely aside, it's rare to see all five judges really pitch themselves to a contestant and plead their cases as to why they're the right coach. But that's exactly what happened for Ladell.
The judges, all visibly moved by his story, spoke to him about what they could offer, but also what he wanted in return.
"I want a coach that can see past my disability," he said, "and also let other people know that even if you have a disability you can still do what you want to do, you can still achieve your dreams."
Despite stating his love for the Madden Brothers, Keating put up a good fight, telling Ladell, "I was 16 when I started, so I know what it's like.
"I could definitely guide you, I can help you, I know what it takes. I know how to climb the mountains and how to climb out of the holes. I can work with that voice. I can pick the songs that you need, so pick me," Keating added finally.
"We all turned around for your talent," Delta Goodrem added.
Eventually, Ladell decided to go with Ronan Keating.
We can't wait to see where the journey takes him.
Top Comments
As a mother of a child with Tourette's, I really appreciate the respectful way the condition was discussed on the show. Far too often the condition is used in popular culture as a comedic device in a way that ridicules and stigmatises people with Tourettes. Adam is an inspiration to other sufferers of the disorder, and I hope he goes far with his musical career.