Towards the end of an overseas performance in 2016, Project SuperStar 2005 singer Hong Junyang realised that he couldn’t control his voice.

“My voice was on the verge of breaking down. I could feel something very hot and burning gushing up into my throat,” the 41-year-old Singaporean singer, songwriter and music producer told Stories Of Hope.

Junyang performed in Vegas earlier this year as part of Singapore singer JJ Lin’s World Tour. He and JJ Lin were schoolmates in junior college.

In 2005, Junyang shot to fame as runner-up in singing talent search competition, Project SuperStar. His father had exposed him to a wide range of international artistes like The Bee Gees, Brian McKnight and Eric Clapton.

“Right after the show, I couldn’t even talk at all.

“I suddenly felt insecure,” Junyang admitted, adding that his confidence plummeted as a singer’s voice is his most important asset.

Junyang was living in Taiwan at that time.

“I tried the usual remedies and went to see many doctors and specialists who gave me the usual medicine when you lose your voice or have sore throat.”

But they only brought temporary relief.

Burnt vocal cords

When his mum’s friend recommended an ENT specialist back home in Singapore, Junyang few back here to see him.

“He said I had gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Stomach acid repeatedly flowing back into my esophagus had burned my vocal cords badly.”

The specialist prescribed some pills, which seemed to work.

Junyang with Chew Chor Meng at the actor’s latest F&B venture, a Thai restaurant, earlier this year.

“I eventually felt better and started regaining my voice. At least I could speak,” Junyang said.

“But I didn’t feel that my health or voice was back to its optimal condition.

“It still felt like my vocal cords still had knots, and my throat felt tight and hoarse.”

Healing hand

About six months after Junyang lost his voice, he sought prayers from his pastor.

The pastor placed his hand on the singer’s throat and prayed: “May God use your voice to impact the world.”

Said Junyang: “During that prayer, I felt the knots untying in my throat.”

To his amazement, he was instantly healed.

“I realised: Ey? My throat used to feel stuck.

“But now it feels clear again. The uncomfortable blockage I once felt is gone.

“It’s like my voice had returned. My voice was unlocked.”

Junyang has since seen the remarkable birth of second daughter, Alessia, in 2000. Watch his wife Candyce Toh – a fellow Project SuperStar contestant – share about it on 还好吗 (hhm.sg).

Junyang, Candyce and elder daughter, Azalea, celebrating baby Alessia’s 100th day birthday.

At the time, he was still a “baby Christian”, Junyang said.

But he recognised: “Wow, it’s God’s hand. His touch healed my throat. My voice is back.”

A grateful Junyang shared: “Never before had I experienced anything like this.”

Trust amid the battle

About eight years have passed since Junyang experienced God’s healing.

Today, he notes that keeping one’s vocal cords healthy is “a constant battle” for all singers.

Junyang (left) in Vegas with The Freshman.

“Currently, I am facing the same challenge again. I’ve lost my voice three times in the past month,” he said.

Will another healing take place? Junyang does not know. 

But this time, his faith is on firmer ground. 

“As long as I know God is with me and for me, and that I do all things in honour and glory for God, I won’t go back to the days of insecurity and lack of confidence again,” he said.

This story that first appeared in Stories of Hope, is based on a video that Hong Junyang shared with Mandarin faith-based platform, 还好吗 (hhm.sg).

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