Opera singer uses past pain to advocate for TB stigma to end

Brittany Smith has had to overcome many obstacles along the way to become the opera rising star she is today. 

Smith's desire to become a singer started while she was still in school.

After being exposed to a performance of Georges Bizet’s 'Carmen' on a school choir outing at the age of 16, she knew she was destined to be an opera singer. 

“I felt something awaken deep inside of me," she told Beautiful News. 

READ: Woman born with Down Syndrome defies the odds

But instead of freely pursuing her dream, Smith faced criticism because of the colour of her skin. 

“I was told multiple times that I would never be successful, that I'm not white enough to be an opera singer, I’m not black enough,” Smith told the publication.

But the young girl didn't take the criticism lying down. She decided to prove the naysayers wrong. 

“I turned around and I turned that into the fuel for my fire and look where I am now," she added. 

After overcoming that challenge, she faced another challenge - contracting tuberculosis. 

Smith developed TB below her vocal chords which threatened to cause damage to her voice quality. The TB could cut her career short. 

However, Smith sought treatment for the TB and is now cured. 

As a result, she now uses her past pain to advocate for the stigma around TB to end. 

She also serves as an example to those who are battling with TB that it can be cured. She told Beautiful News that she has been using her experience to encourage others to complete their TB treatment. 

Today, Smith, who graduated with a BMus in Opera from UCT, is a Fleur du Cap award-winning soloist with Cape Town Opera House. 

READ: MSF welcomes withdrawal of patents on life-saving TB drug in SA

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Image courtesy of Beautiful News.