The secret behind the voice: why a famous singer’s stutter vanishes
In short: Megan Washington is known for her raw, confessional songwriting and commanding stage presence. Yet, there was a long-held secret about her communication: she has a speech impediment. Discover how she navigates the paradox of a stutter that hampers conversation but disappears entirely when she sings.
Megan Washington first revealed her struggle with a stutter during a 2014 TEDxSydney talk. She explained that her unique way of speaking is actually a result of over 20 years of 'loopholing'—a conscious effort to avoid specific words that trip her up. While she still faces challenges with sustained syllables, such as consecutive 's', 'ts', and 'fs' sounds, the physical act of singing provides a different neurological or expressive pathway where the impediment does not manifest.
Her journey to musical prominence was marked by significant transitions. Born in Papua New Guinea to Australian parents, she moved to Brisbane in 1996. After studying jazz voice at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music and recording her debut EP 'Nightlight' in 2006, she began a career that saw her move from jazz into indie pop and alternative rock. Despite early struggles—including working in a bagel shop while watching film clips of her peers—she eventually achieved massive commercial success with her 2010 album 'I Believe You Liar', which reached number three on the ARIA Albums Chart.
Washington's career is defined by a commitment to 'bold truthfulness.' This was evident in her 2014 album 'There There,' where she wrote lyrics about real-life events like an engagement gone sour and personal infidelity. She has used various techniques, such as 'smooth speech,' to manage her stutter during public appearances on shows like Spicks and Specks. Today, her influence extends beyond music into screenwriting, film production, and providing the voice of Calypso in the hit animated series Bluey.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Megan Washington
- Also: Megan Washington | Speaker | TED
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