DIDSBURY - Holly Prest-Smith of Didsbury recently pulled off a pretty amazing feat – the 22 year old ended up winning both the 2019 Olds Idol competition and the All-Star Idol competition on back-to-back nights.
The competitions took place on April 12 and 13 respectively, both at the Night Owl in Olds.
Prest-Smith said it was very exciting and a little surprising.
“I’m still in shock,” said Prest-Smith. “I was just in it to have fun. I cried like a little baby. It was such an amazing experience.”
For the Olds Idol competition, Prest-Smith sang Stone Cold by Demi Lovato and Til it Happens to You by Lady Gaga.
“I chose the songs because of the connection I have to them,” she said.
For the all-star competition she sang You and I by Lady Gaga, Somehow Here Again from Phantom of the Opera, and Praying by Kesha.
“I almost scrapped the last song because I was so nervous but my adoptive dad convinced me to believe in myself and sing it,” she said.
Prest-Smith received 394 out of 400 from the judges in Olds Idol and a perfect score during All-Star Idol.
Prest-Smith moved to Didsbury three years ago from Nova Scotia, where she grew up. At the age of 19 she and her dog made the trek west and she hasn’t looked back.
The Olds Idol competitions were the first singing competition that Prest-Smith has competed in although she did audition for Canada’s Got Talent.
“They told me I couldn’t sing,” she said. “For Olds Idol I thought why not, I’ll try it out.”
Prest-Smith has been singing as long as she can remember. She also teaches vocal at Top Note Music School in Didsbury.
“I love teaching other people,” she said.
Prest-Smith said she enjoys how singing can bring people together and make people feel good.
“With singing it gives you a good opportunity to connect with other people through the music,” she said. “With teaching, that’s how I get to know people. I get them to bring in two or three songs so I get to know what they’re all about. I get to hear the story of why they chose the songs they did.”
Prest-Smith wants to keep singing and teaching singing. She is hoping the double Idol wins will help her be able to record some music.
