The Voice season 18 runner-up Toneisha Harris just started her run with a touring company of Hairspray last week. Her run playing the character Motormouth Maybelle kicked off November 17 in San Diego. But after her husband suddenly became ill, the 43 year old singer left the production to be by his bedside.
Toneisha announced the news on Instagram today (Nov 22). “The last time I stepped away from my dream I was angry….this time I’m grateful! Grateful for the chances I’ve had! Grateful that I’ve seen nothing but answered prayers and possibilities all around me when I thought there were none!” Toneisha wrote.
You may remember Toneisha’s backstory. She planned to audition for The Voice season 2 nine years ago. But her plans were put on hold after her son was diagnosed with Leukemia. She devoted all her time to caring for him. Two years into his remission, she returned to The Voice season 18. A 4-chair turn worthy cover of Foreigner’s “I Wanna Know What Love Is” landed her a spot on Team Blake Shelton.
“My husband is in ICU fighting for his life”
Toneisha continued, “This time is no different. My husband is in ICU fighting for his life and I’m right by his side. I always choose my family first. I’m grateful for the love and support of my cast mates and Hairspray family and I’m beyond grateful for the chance to open with them.”
“I hope and fully expect to return to the stage with them,” Toneisha says regarding her return to the Hairspray production. “But today, my place is at my husband’s bedside. He responded to my voice and my singing today. I’ve told him all about #MotormouthMaybelle and I’ve even done all my scenes for him today!! An audience of one! I pray for plan and strategy as we navigate through this! All my love, #Superheroes”
Thoughts and prayers are with Toneisha for her husband’s quick recovery and her return to the Hairspray cast, where her fellow castmates surely miss her. The cast is led by Andrew Levitt aka Nina West (from RuPaul’s Drag Race) as Edna Turnblad and Niki Metcalf as Tracy Turnblad.
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