Australian folk artist Vendulka Wichta captured hearts and turned heads with her soulful rendition of Culture Club’s classic hit “Karma Chameleon” during her audition for The Voice Australia Season 8. The performance was a moment to remember, not just for its originality but also because the song’s original performer, Boy George, was one of the judges—and the first to spin his chair for the 21-year-old singer.
Accompanying herself on acoustic guitar, Vendulka transformed the upbeat 1983 new wave anthem into a tender, bluesy slow burn. Her unique, smoky voice filled the room, captivating both the audience and judges. Delta Goodrem and Guy Sebastian quickly followed Boy George’s lead, with Sebastian particularly impressed by her falsetto and vocal dynamics in the latter half of the song.
Boy George was full of admiration for Vendulka’s interpretation, saying, “What you just did, I didn’t think was possible. We’ve tried to mess with this song over the years, and what you did was give it a lovely blues flavor and made it kind of soulful.”
Adding a personal touch to the moment, Boy George joined Vendulka on stage, improvising alongside her and blending his vocals with her bluesy style. It was a rare and memorable collaboration that showcased her ability to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with an industry icon.
Vendulka’s success in the audition propelled her through the competition. In later rounds, she performed a stirring rendition of Lady Gaga’s “Always Remember Us This Way,” further solidifying her reputation as a versatile and emotive singer. Although she was eventually eliminated in the 12th episode, her journey didn’t end there.
Hailing from Canberra and of Czech descent, Vendulka, now 25, later rebranded herself as Aya Yves. Her time on The Voice proved to be the beginning of a fruitful connection with Boy George. During the show’s filming, George hinted that he had plans for her, though production schedules cut their conversation short.
Undeterred, Vendulka reached out to George on Instagram after the show, and to her surprise, he responded with enthusiasm. A few months later, she received an unexpected invitation to join him in a Sydney recording studio with just 24 hours’ notice. Without hesitation, Vendulka cleared her schedule and collaborated with the pop legend on two tracks.
One of the songs, “The Trouble With Love,” a synth-pop anthem, was released with Aya Yves credited as a featured artist. Boy George praised her performance on the track, calling it “flawless” in a social media post.
In an interview with Her Canberra, Vendulka described working with George as an incredible experience. She noted his warmth and generosity and revealed they bonded over their shared love for Joni Mitchell and their astrological compatibility, with both being air signs—George a Gemini and Vendulka a Libra.
Today, Vendulka, performing as Aya Yves, continues to captivate audiences with her artistry. Fans can keep up with her evolving career by following her YouTube channel or connecting with her on social media. What began as an audition on The Voice has blossomed into a promising career marked by resilience, originality, and genuine artistry.