A grandmother from Bolton has shot to international fame after a video of her singing Gala's Freed From Desire captured the hearts of millions online. Sheila Diamond, 63, had been performing professionally for 34 years and was considering slowing down when her career unexpectedly skyrocketed.
Unexpected Viral Fame
During a gig at a club in Chorley, a barmaid filmed Sheila performing the 1990s dance anthem. The footage quickly spread across social media, amassing countless views and shares. "Oh god, no. Definitely not. It's gone mental," Sheila said when asked if she anticipated the success. "I just said 'fancy having a bit of a rave?' and they loved it."
Global Demand
Since the clip went viral, Sheila has received booking requests from around the world, including Spain, Portugal, Malta, and even Australia. "Someone has asked me to go and sing in Malta. All over the world. 'Can you come over to Australia?'" she shared. The grandmother, who turns 64 in July, admitted she had been planning to ease off work but now feels her career is taking off in a new direction.
Family Support and Online Challenges
Sheila, a mother of three and grandmother, said her family has been incredibly supportive. Her eldest grandson, aged 12, thinks her fame is "absolutely amazing." However, she confessed that dealing with online trolls has been difficult. "I didn't like it at first because of all the keyboard warriors. There would be thousands of good comments and I would only focus on the bad," she explained. Her son now manages her social media, allowing her to see only the positive feedback.
Despite the challenges, Sheila remains passionate about her craft. "Singing is not just a job to me," she said. "It forms a huge part of my life." Her story is a testament to embracing life at every age and never giving up on one's dreams.
