At the age of 24, Dakota Striplin captivated The Voice Australia audience with a mesmerizing rendition of Elvis Presley’s “Love Me Tender” and then surprised the judges with a revelation that added an extra layer to his connection with the legendary rock ‘n’ roll icon.
Striplin hinted that he could potentially be Elvis Presley’s grandson, expressing his lifelong admiration for The King. Recently, his father unearthed a family secret, discovering that his biological father differed from the one he had known. Intriguingly, Striplin’s grandmother, with a history deeply entwined with Elvis, had worked at his concerts and supposedly had a personal acquaintance with the iconic singer. The uncanny resemblance between Striplin and Elvis caught the attention of Kelly Rowland, prompting Striplin to playfully channel Elvis, eliciting laughter from the audience. Witness his captivating audition in the video below.
Examining side-by-side images of Striplin and Elvis reveals an undeniable likeness, encompassing not only the jawline but also the nose and brow. Striplin showcased not just a golden voice but also a distinctive rhythm guitar style and an intangible X factor that garnered cheers from the female spectators.
Rowland swiftly turned her chair for Striplin, captivated from the first line, and Delta Goodrem soon followed suit. Guy Sebastian, on the verge of pressing his button, hesitated but later expressed regret, acknowledging Striplin’s undeniable talent. Striplin’s versatility shone through as he later delivered a lively rendition of “I Just Can’t Wait To Be King” from The Lion King in subsequent episodes, as seen in the video below.
Rowland, elated with her decision to turn her chair, exclaimed, “We have waited for you! I’m so excited you’re here. I genuinely would love the opportunity to work with you. You are amazing.” Goodrem added her endorsement, expressing her admiration for Striplin’s musical style, rich tone, and mastery of the electric guitar. The pitch intensified as Rowland and Goodrem stood up, passionately vying for Striplin to join their respective teams. Ultimately, Striplin, potentially influenced by his affinity for Destiny’s Child, chose Rowland. Despite delivering a spirited performance of “I Just Can’t Wait To Be King” during the knockout round, he faced elimination from the series.
Subsequently, Striplin sought new opportunities on the stage of America’s Got Talent Season 12, earning four yes votes for his rendition of “You’re the One That I Want” from Grease. Despite a soulful performance of Elvis’s “I Can’t Help Falling in Love With You” during the judge cuts, he faced elimination. Undeterred, Striplin has continued to release original music, and for more updates, you can follow him on Facebook or Instagram.
