Lisa Punch proved that she is a talented to be reckoned when she brought her vivacious performance to the stage of the recent Guyana Folk Festival.
The Georgetown girl was a finalist on ABC’s “Rising Star, ” where she garnered 80 percent of the East Coast votes and 78 percent from the West, to raise the wall, and received positive comments from music’s heavy weights, Ke$ha, Ludacris and Brad Paisley.
“It was an overwhelming feeling for me. I was nervous, but excited at the same time,” stated the former Guyana deejay during an exclusive backstage interview at the cultural event in Brooklyn.
Punch praised her mentor and vocal coach Dorian Holly for the great advice he gave her.
“He inspired me by saying this is what you have been doing all of your life, this is all you know to do, imagine you are singing for the people who love to hear your voice.”
These words of encouragement fueled the passion Punch has for music, she said.
“I went on stage with Guyana in mind and I transformed my thoughts to back home.
“The response was great,” added the songstress who wowed millions around the world with Whitney Houston’s “How Will I Know,” an outstanding performance that took her to the second round of the competition. She ultimately impressed judges in two more rounds with “Girl On Fire” and “Perfect” before she was eliminated.
Nicknamed “Knockout Punch,” the talented 22-year old with a mellifluous voice raised eyebrows when she called Guyana a poor country during her video introduction on the show.
In the clip that was viewed by Guyanese around the world, Punch talked about growing up in a tiny house with her parents and siblings, and then moving to Brooklyn where she and her family shared a one-bedroom apartment.
This stirring revelation was felt deeply by people from Asia, Europe South, North America, and many other countries that amazed the singer who said she received messages that said viewers were touch by her story.
But now, with a renewed vision, Punch, who was well received by her homeland at a musical festival recently, plans on recording pop music, and a reggae fusion to engage her fans.
The young diva who loves California where she said, “you could make your dreams come true,” but is inspired by New York where “you could make them happen,” believes that if you work hard and believe in yourself, “your dreams will come true.”
“What you perceive, you will receive, I am staying positive, and humbled. Always pray, put God first, do your best and be yourself,” were the words of wisdom from the up and coming star.
“I want to continue to inspire people,” she added, “and I ask that my fans continue to support me.”
With her new manager Mary Brown — songwriter for Destiny’s Child, and Missy Elliot — at her side, Punch is working on her first album, and hopes to top the charts someday, and to help her family to succeed along with her.
