The most significant challenge I have faced in my career has been losing my voice, not once, but three times.
For many people, losing their voice may seem like a temporary inconvenience. It was a very challenging experience.
Growing up as a little kid, I often sung in church choirs. Singing brought me joy, purpose, and connection. Music has always been a part of who I am. The last time I sang publicly on the podium stage was while serving in the Thailand Bangkok Mission, where music continued to play an important role in my life.
Years later, I unknowingly overused my voice while singing at an event. The following morning, I woke up and discovered that I could barely even speak or say a single word. What I initially thought would be temporary, but then it turned into months and months of complete silence.
For so long I couldn’t even speak nor say a single word.
The experience was very devastating. I know what it feels like to lose not only your voice, but also your ability to even be heard. People struggled to hear me. Some even judged me, criticized me, and even laughed because I could barely speak above a whisper. Every attempt to force my voice only caused further damage to my vocals, bringing me dangerously close to permanently losing my voice forever.
There were moments where I’d wonder if I would ever sing again or even speak again. Navigating during that time was incredibly hard, but I continued to show up each day amongst my everyday life careers.
My business partner and family friend, Sashin Govender (@winwithsashin) founder of CredibilityX consistently reached out to check in on me and offer support, even during times of difficulty when I was completely voiceless. His support reminded me that I was never alone on my journey.
Even till this very day, speaking about that period brings tears because of how difficult it was at the time. Losing my voice really affected me because it felt like “this was it.” Hence, music had always been one of the ways I expressed myself, singing while I’m playing on the piano, and suddenly, that expression was then taken away from me.
But sometimes our greatest setbacks become the foundation of all of our greatest purposes.
Through conversations with a close family friend based in the United States of America, I was introduced to the possibilities of using Artificial Intelligence (AI). What began as an idea soon evolved into something far greater. If I couldn’t physically sing, perhaps there was another way to share songs that had always lived inside of me.
That is where the name LANZ T comes in. My real name is LEILANI TUKUAFU.
Although I had been writing songs since I was a little kid and I played the piano since the age of 12, I’ve never had the chance to record professionally or stepped into a music studio. Losing my voice made me realize that my passion for music had never really disappeared; it had simply been waiting for a new chapter, something different.
Today, LANZ T uses AI-generated vocals to bring her written songs and personal stories to life. Through her journey, she is reclaiming her voice, rebuilding her LANZ T brand including THE LANZ SHOW alongside Flyleeto, Entertainment Executive, Founder & CEO of Next On Deck Show, Panamera Flow. By building her name while sharing her journey with the world, LANZ T aims to inspire all who may be facing their own challenges and to show that setbacks do not have to define one’s future.
“Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
LANZ T is a rising island-inspired woman blending tropical soul, late night emotion, and island queen energy. LANZ T blends her island theme and culture with high tech enhanced vocals and bold creative direction.
Her journey is proof that even when life takes away the very thing you love the most, having hope can still create a new beginning. “A new blessing.”
Her debut single name “Island Queen” introduces a sound that’s both powerful and dreamy, music for those who move with grace but carry fire within. Night drive cruise, road trip music, reggae vibes etc., you name it.
The beginning of something new and different. It is now streaming on all platforms, 17 February 2026 was her first release date single. Available now on Spotify, YouTube Music, Apple Music, iTunes Store and so forth.
Oh, she’s a mystery.
As a songwriter and visionary behind Island Queen, her new track also called New Lanes, as well as her very first album called Crowned & Chosen released in March, she fuses imagination, technology, and feminine power to create a sound that feels dreamy, so confident, and unapologetically her in this modern-day society.
LANZ T also released her newest album in the month of August 2026 Titled CROWNED IN SILENCE.
Every song in her newest album tells a part of her story, “She Chose Faith_A True Story” dedicated to her mom & her family, the battles fought, the pure love that she has, the lessons learned, and the strength fought through all.
LANZ T dedicates the last 3 songs to her sisters, another she dedicates to all the mothers, and another to all the fathers, single fathers, men that want to be fathers, and others dreaming to become one.
The words she writes are powerful.
LANZ T thanks everyone who supports her and who becomes part of her journey.
“What is meant for you will find you. What is yours will remain. And what God has crowned, no one can take away. Life isn’t easy but as long as we stay strong and we keep holding on. Heaven sees you and so let’s keep cheering on. Life is too short.”
“Don’t let anyone ever dim your light.”
The crown stays on.
“And one day, I will use my own voice again.”
