Belinda Davids Whitney Houston Apollo Theatre

Belinda Davids wowed crowds at the Apollo Theatre in New York with her rendition of Whitney Houston’s ‘I will always love you’.

 

Apollo Theatre, New York – South African singing sensation Belinda Davids’ performance at the Apollo Christmas show in New York will leave you feeling proudly South African.

The Apollo Theatre is known for having a “tough audience” that has no problem booing people off stage, and the crowds were ready to boot her before she picked up the mic.

A nervous Davids took to the stage and performed the well-known Whitney Houston track, I Will Always Love You.

Despite the scepticism of some in the crowd before her performance, Davids did her idol justice with a breathtaking performance and received a standing ovation.

“I think calling me a fan is an understatement. I idolised Whitney to the point that when I was a little girl, I would cut my hair like hers, cut my clothes… I was so desperate to be just like her. So when this came, I didn’t realise how much I’d have to step into her shoes, I didn’t realise how much I had to become her on stage. It’s more than just being a fan; I still idolise her. I still watch her videos, I still look at the footage. I still miss her.”

Belinda Davids was born in Port Elizabeth and began performing professionally at the age of 14. She has never had vocal training and is blessed with a four-octave vocal range, which allows her to sing any genre. Belinda’s inspirations as a child were Aretha Franklin, Anita Baker, Chaka Khan, Donny Hathaway, Michael Jackson and the one artist she honours in every show is Whitney Houston.

As a young girl, one of the very first LPs Davids owned was a song called Hold Me by Teddy Pendergrass and Whitney Houston. The quality and style Whitney portrayed in this song struck a cord, and Davids’ fascination with the icon grew. She sang Whitney’s music at every chance: at family gatherings, talent competitions and to friends while playing on the street. Like many young girls at that time, her bedroom walls were plastered with posters and magazine cut-outs Houston.

“I think it started when I was six years old. I remember my grandmother dressing me in white ribbons, a white dress. She dolled me up, and she said, ‘now you are going to sing for us’. I went into the church, and I remember there being a lot of people and I sang. The response made something click for me, that this was what I wanted to do. I didn’t quite understand it, but when I developed from age 8, I knew that this was what I wanted to do. I don’t think I realised how good I was until my friends started calling me Whitney.

The response from people when I started performing in clubs was incredible. For me it all comes back to this; I miss the feeling that I had when I was on stage. The feeling that I had was so bright for me, so light. It was just me in that moment. And it is still like that for me.

When I get on stage, there is nothing in the world that matters; there’s no pain, no sore ankles, no numb toes… There is nothing. It is just me in that moment which makes me fall in love with being on stage.”

Since being shared to her page, the video received more than 756 000 views.

Watch the video below:


Sources: Facebook | EWN | Whitney Houston Tribute 
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Brent Lindeque is the founder and editor in charge at Good Things Guy.

Recognised as one of the Mail and Guardian’s Top 200 Young South African’s as well as a Primedia LeadSA Hero, Brent is a change maker, thought leader, radio host, foodie, vlogger, writer and all round good guy.

3 comments

  1. This girl is a musical sensation. Been to one of her shows in Wales and was proud to be South African. She is so down to earth but wow what a voice. Whitney will be proud of you. Lots of success , we wish you in the future.

  2. Saw Belinda Savids in Melbourne Australia las night. Absolutely sensational!!! Huge Whitney fan and went with reservations as there is only one Whitney, but Belinda blew it out of the water.
    Close your eyes and picture Whitney – amazing.

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