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Elysha Brennan on the Late Late Show on Friday night.
THE new Rose of Tralee charmed the nation with her vivacity, courage, honesty and singing talents, when she appeared on one of her favourite TV shows on Friday night.
And she ended up winning a car for a Tralee woman!
Elysha Brennan appeared on the first The Late Late Show of the new season where she spoke to Ryan Tubridy about the Rose of Tralee competition, her battle with cancer a few years ago, her love life (or lack thereof) and about encouraging young girls to live in the moment.
But she’s already showing how good she is for Tralee people, by picking out an entry from Jackie Fraher from Tralee to win a Renault Clio in the Late Late Show’s first competition of the season.
Elysha told the audience during the interview about the treatment for Hodgkins Lymphona, the effect it had on her physically, mentally and emotionally and coming out the other side of it.
She also told host Ryan Tubridy how she wanted to be an advocate for living in the moment, especially for young teenage girls.
“I’d love to be an advocate for young women,” she told Tubridy. “I just see that generation and what they’re growing up with and it’s all about selfies and how many likes you have, instead of going out and enjoying yourself and being present in what you see. I think we’ve lost the art of being present and engaging with people,” she said.
“Being comfortable in your own skin. I always say this but, you don’t have a soul, you are a soul and you have a body. The hair, the make up and the dresses, you know, we all feel good [in them], but what’s important is in your soul, being kind and generous and warm to people,” she said.
She was also asked how she felt about becoming the Rose and about some commentators’ perceptions of the competition as being anachronistic.
“I suppose the Rose of Tralee, in my eyes, has always been relevant,” she answered. “It’s changed and moved with the times and constantly evolving…this whole idea of the ‘lovely girls’ competition; we are lovely, we’re all so strong, we’re all so smart, intelligent, driven young women, who are game-changers and trailblazers. I think there is nothing these girls can’t do,” she said.
When asked about her love life she had this to say.
“My whole love life is like a string of awkward moments. I’m just so unlucky in love. I suppose Medicine is my boyfriend, I just don’t have time,” said Elysha.
She’s also releasing a single in aid of Aoibheann’s Pink Tie, a charity offering support for children going through cancer in Ireland and sang ‘Bright Blue Rose’ on the show.
All in all, you played a blinder Elysha!
