MarissaAnn Rizzitello attributes her determination to make it in music with something that happened when she was an infant.
Shortly after birth, she was diagnosed as having a fatal liver ailment. The only alternative: a transplant.
So her father gave her half of his liver, and both survived.
Fifteen years later, she writes that a scar on her belly, the medicine she takes every day and routine bloodwork remind her of what she’s been through and her father’s selflessness.
“I don’t look at the situation as a negative,” she writes in her Voice blog. “My past is the reason why I’m such a motivated person (my nickname in kindergarten was Motivated MarissaAnn haha).
“I believe I was given a second chance in life and for a reason… to heal people through the power of music! Now an opportunity has come my way and it’s a new chapter in my life and I am so grateful for everything! I’m just a girl with big dreams and a girl who wants to leave her footprints on the world. So dream big dreams and keep on smiling!”
We barely met MarissaAnn, minus her last name, on the fourth blind audition episode of The Voice. She was one of a trio of young ladies who made it through in rapid-fire succession.
And, in her case, young is the appropriate word. She’s just 15, one of the youngest contestants the show has seen in its three seasons.
MarissaAnn, who plays the guitar and piano, performed “Part of Me” for her audition and wound up having to choose between Christina and Cee Lo for her coach.
“I’ve been the biggest fan of Christina, but I didn’t want that to (make up) my mind,” MarissaAnn told Christina Milian after her audition. “But she turned around first and said all the right things.”
For music from MarissaAnn, head here. You’ll discover she also sings in Spanish.
During a recent conference call with the media, she said her style of music is pop R&B “with a little edge.” And she added that she likes to perform local charity events because she got a second chance in life.
Editor’s Note: Check back for live blogs once the battle rounds begin on The Voice.
MarissaAnn singing “At Last”
MarissaAnn singing “The Voice Within”
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June 30, 2021 -
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8 Comments
Beautiful…..you deserve it all!!! Love, Donna
Beautiful…..you deserve it all!!! Love, Donna
Very nice story!! Thank you for sharing MarissaAnn’s story! She is an amazing singer and a sweet girl!
Very nice story!! Thank you for sharing MarissaAnn’s story! She is an amazing singer and a sweet girl!
Great story.. Wish her the best!
Great story.. Wish her the best!