The Voice finalist Rachael Leahcar announces she’s expecting first child and reveals the baby could inherit her degenerative eye condition

Rachael Leahcar is 23 weeks’ pregnant with her first child.

The Voice Australia star, 29, who found fame on the singing competition in its first season in 2012, will welcome her newborn in December with husband Chris Johinke.

Eight years after the lovebirds met at one of the singer’s concerts, the pair are ‘really excited’ for the next chapter of their lives, reported The Advertiser on Saturday.  

‘I already feel a lot of love in me and Chris for this baby. We’re really, really excited and seeing the bump grow and feeling all the kicks, it’s been amazing,’ she said. 

‘I know it takes a lot to take care of a human. I’ve always had a very maternal instinct.’

The vision-impaired performer went on to say she felt like owning several guide dogs throughout her life was ‘a taste’ of what she can expect in motherhood. 

As for her degenerative eye condition retinitis pigmentosa (RP), Rachael said doctors estimated there was a ‘one per cent chance’ her baby will inherit it. 

‘Even if they were born with it, I think we’re the best parents to raise someone with a vision impairment,’ Rachael said.

Chris and Rachael have already kickstarted this new chapter after moving into their new Glenelg East home following their European honeymoon. 

The Voice Australia star who found fame on the singing competition in its first season in 2012, will welcome her newborn in December with husband Chris Johinke

 Eight years after the lovebirds met at one of the singer’s concerts, the pair are ‘really excited’ for the next chapter of their lives

Rachael, who shot to fame on The Voice at the age of 18, has already written a new song about her bundle of joy called Little Bird – to be released in October. 

The blonde beauty wowed judges and the studio audience in 2012 when she performed Edith Piaf’s classic La Vie En Rose.

Her audition has since attracted more than 10 million views on YouTube.

Repeatedly winning over the crowd with her sweet vocals, the teenager made it to the finals, eventually placing third.

In the years since the show, Rachael has released five studio albums and toured in her own cabaret show.

Prior to lockdown, Rachael was gearing up to perform in a Beatles tribute show called Here Comes The Sun.

Rachael said doctors estimated there was a ‘one per cent chance’ her baby will inherit her degenerative eye condition retinitis pigmentosa (RP)