St Annes care home worker is a singing sensation back home in the Philippines
From singing star to healthcare worker, Havana Lee Mitchell has seen it all
A singing sensation from the Philippines who came to the UK as a care worker is to headline a Blackpool festival devoted to Filipino culture.
Havana Lee Mitchell - who was discovered on Battle of the Bands and the Singing Sensations TV show - the Philippines version of Britain’s Got Talent - will sing at Blackpool Barrio Festival on Blackpool Tower Headland on July 25.
Originally from Butuan City, Mindanao, Havana first captured audiences’ attention after being discovered in 2020 in the TV talent shows.
Her songs received airplay all over her home country but for the past three years Blackpool has been her home.
She currently works as a healthcare assistant at a residential care home in St Annes but has continued to sing and record music.
Husband, Simon said: “Havana’s incredible talent and inspiring story embody the spirit of our community, and we are excited for everyone to experience her amazing voice live on stage.”
However, Havana’s early life was full of hardship after becoming an orphan as a young child.
Simon said: “My wife was born into a large family who were farmers and at a young age she lost her father who was killed for the land the family owned her mum had previously left her dad and she was brought up by aunties and uncles who originally wanted to go into nursing.
“She would walk many miles to school and studied hard, only to discover she had a talent for singing and wanted to prove to people that this is what she wanted.
“She later became a music bachelor of arts. She performed for ambassadors in embassies and won major singing competitions across Asia.
“She was discovered through Battle of the Champions 2020 and awarded first place in Champion Asia's triumphant Awards best female rock ballad singer.
“My wife has travelled a lot going from south Korea to Malaysia, to Jordon and Russia, ending up here in England.
“We met as she was nursing my father who has cancer and we both discovered that we had a lot in common, my wife had been through a lot in her life but that didn't stop her being successful in what she did.”
The couple married in October 2023 and have built their life together in Blackpool.
Simon added: “My wife now works with dementia patients but is hoping to make a career through singing.
“It’s her determination and passion for life that made me fall in love with her.”
Blackpool Barrio Festival starts at 10am and admission is free.