Irish singer Una Healy revealed a new venture on RTÉ’s Late Late Show, announcing a search for Ireland’s next country music star. As a judge for the show's Opening Act competition, she seeks raw, original talent to perform live. The winner will open next year’s Late Late Country Music Special.
Una Healy, the former Saturdays member who has transitioned from pop to country music, appeared on RTÉ’s Late Late Show on Friday night, hosted by Patrick Kielty. There, she announced her role in the show’s Opening Act competition, aimed at discovering Ireland’s next big country voice.
Healy, who previously judged on The Voice of Ireland, explained the search criteria during the broadcast. “We’re looking for someone who’s a great singer, wants to perform, wants to be an artist, but hasn’t had the opportunity or platform to get out there,” she told Kielty. She emphasized authenticity in submissions: “We’re looking for entries for people to send in videos of themselves singing. We don’t want any trickery involved, no autotune, just completely raw and organic.”
Healy shared her own approach to recording: “That’s what I do when I put up videos at home in the kitchen… find a room that’s got nice acoustics and perform a song.” She prefers original material, stating: “What I’m looking for is someone who’s very original, be it their voice, because at the end of the day, there’s so many amazing songwriters out there who can write you the songs, but if you can write [great].” Entries can be originals or covers of country classics, with inspirations including Luke Combs, Zach Bryan, Shania Twain, Taylor Swift, Daniel O’Donnell, and Margo.
Budding artists must submit videos via the application form by St Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2026, and be available for rehearsals and live performances on April 16 and 17, 2026. The competition leverages the Late Late Show’s history of launching musical careers, though Ireland is sitting out Eurovision this year in protest over Israel’s participation amid the Gaza conflict.