Former 'TNT' contestant Jeramie Sanico-Heitmann gets four-chair turn on ‘The Voice Australia’

Former “Tawag ng Tanghalan” contestant Jeramie Sanico-Heitmann is having her international singing moment after earning a four-chair turn on “The Voice Australia,” a decade after she last appeared on a televised singing competition.

The 26-year-old Filipina singer impressed all four coaches—Melanie C, Ronan Keating, Kate Miller-Heidke and Richard Marx—with her rendition of Celine Dion’s “Because You Loved Me” during the Blind Auditions.

The moment marked a major comeback for Jeramie, who last competed 10 years ago when she joined "It’s Showtime’s Tawag ng Tanghalan” (TNT). In a Facebook post, the singer admitted that returning to a televised singing competition after a decade felt like starting from scratch.

“Since I’ve been in Australia, the only time I sang was in our churches and they weren’t performances but renditions to God. I’ve been singing as well in my kitchen, bathroom and in front of my kids, so I really feel like I’m starting from ground zero,” she wrote.

“Coming to Australia, I know that I’m gonna have to start all over again when it comes to singing, but I didn’t expect that it will lead me here,” she said.

She also shared how meaningful the opportunity was for her, especially given her humble beginnings in the Philippines.

“Coming from a humble life in the Philippines, who would have thought that a little girl born with a big dream will be able to step in The Voice Stage. My goal in joining isn’t just to win, but to let God shine through it all. Every melody, every lyric, I want God to be known as the main source of everything. Without Him, I am nothing.”

Despite her nerves, Jeramie delivered a powerful and emotional performance that immediately caught the coaches’ attention. The Blind Audition was also a special moment for her family, as she dedicated her performance to her loved ones, particularly her father, who traveled from the Philippines to Australia to watch her compete.

The coaches were unanimous in their praise.

Kate Miller-Heidke said she was “blown away” by the performance and believed Jeramie could have a natural home on her team.

“You have a magnificent instrument. That belt was extraordinarily so high and then so high and then flipping up and it was crystalline. It was pure, and I love to work with you,” Kate said.

Melanie C was equally moved by Jeramie’s performance.

“Oh Jeramie, what an amazing performance. It really brought tears to my eyes. There is so much love and emotion. You are just sending the way, and we all could feel it. To have had the discipline to stay composed, hands up to you. I would love to find out what we could do together,” she said.

Ronan Keating also admitted that Jeramie was too impressive for him to stick to his plan of not turning for another female vocalist.

“You smashed it. There were some moments of pure brilliance. Now, I’ve got a lot of female vocalists on my team. But I had to turn. I had to turn for you. You’re that good,” Ronan said.

Richard Marx, meanwhile, connected Jeramie’s performance to his own experience working with Celine Dion.

The singer-songwriter recalled working with Celine at the Grammys when she performed “Dance With My Father,” a song he co-wrote with the late Luther Vandross. Richard said the experience made him confident that he could help Jeramie reach bigger stages.

“I think I'm your guy because I want to be your coach on the stages you're going to be singing on two years from now, three years from now. But first, let's win The Voice, and we can do it together,” he told her.

With all four coaches turning their chairs, Jeramie ultimately chose Marx as her coach.

“You're so awesome. Thank you for believing in me,” Richard told her. 

Jeramie previously competed in the first season of “TNT,” where she became the semifinalist in the final quarter of the competition. She later withdrew during the semifinals due to personal reasons.

After her stint on the show, Jeramie moved to Adelaide, South Australia, where she built a new life with her Australian husband. She is now raising their two children while working in Australia.