The Rookie has many multi-talented actors, but one officer was destined for stardom in another field years before acting.
Many of the show’s fans were stunned to discover Melissa O’Neil — who plays Officer Lucy Chen — was the winner of Canadian Idol in 2005.
The now 37-year-old blew away the judges and her home country with her impressive vocals. She was only 17 years old at the time and her win made her both the youngest and the first female winner of the singing competition.
When fans saw the clip online, they commented they had no idea she was such an amazing vocalist.
As a teen, Melissa spoke about her passion for singing when she told Ear of Newt: “I don’t think it’s so much the singing as the performing. When you perform you get this connection between you and your audience, and there’s nothing like it, I can honestly say that. Absolutely nothing like it.”
The Rookie paid homage to Melissa’s real-life singing background in season 2 when her character auditions for American Idol during a call.
Melissa had a successful career in musical theatre before The Rookie, including roles on Broadway and she won a Dora Mavor Moore Award.
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