The Voice Kids hopefuls are more talented than the adults, says Ronan Keating ahead of new series
BRITAIN’S young wannabe pop stars are already streets ahead of grown-up singers, according to Will.i.am and Ronan Keating.
The Voice Kids’ coaches reckon those taking part in the new series, who are aged from seven to 14, are more professional and versatile than many adults in the industry.
Their performances left Will and Ronan, who sit in on the show’s famous spinning chairs alongside singer Pixie Lott and McFly’s Danny Jones, convinced that the future of pop music is in safe hands.
Black Eyed Peas rapper Will.i.am, 48, revealed: “One of my team wrote this song, and I said to her, ‘No way.’ It was like, wow!
“She is just so advanced at songwriting already.
"There are some adults that I know that aren’t nearly as good at writing.
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“I was blown away by their level of talent this year and their skillset.”
Danny, 37, agreed: “They are just getting better and better.
"The way they learn and take on information is just incredible.
“They go away, work on it and come back, and I’m like ‘I’ve got nothing to say — that’s amazing.”
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Lead singer Danny shot to fame when he was 17, while Pixie signed her first record deal at 16 — so both have experience of stardom at a young age.
Comparing his experience to the children in the ITV1 talent contest, which returns to our screens this weekend, 37-year-old Danny admitted: “I would have been so overwhelmed back then.
"But I’d have loved that experience as a kid.
“They are on that stage and they are such tiny humans — when else do they get to do that?”
Pixie, 32, said: “There wasn’t a Voice Kids when I was younger.
"But if there was I would have definitely auditioned for it. I’ve been in their shoes and I know what it’s like.
“I still go for auditions now but for a young person to walk out there, doing what you love and wanting to live your dream is really amazing to see.”
Boyzone singer Ronan, 46, felt emotional watching the hopefuls audition.
The dad-of-three said: “I have kids the same age as some of the talent that stood on stage, and to see them with such confidence and such ability at that age is mesmerising.
“I am always honest, but sometimes it is hard as these kids are just starting out on their journeys.
"You want to keep the dream alive and give them the right criticism in the most positive way.”
Like the adult version of the show, the panel sit with their backs to the stage during the auditions and only get to see the performers if they hit their button to have a chance of mentoring them.
Britain’s best young singing talent will compete across three special episodes in the hope of winning a seven-night trip to Universal Orlando Resort in Florida.
Emma Willis, 47, who has presented the main series for nine years and the children’s spin-off since 2017, said: “I think the kids really do take the nos much better than the adults do.
“But there tends to be a lot more riding on it for the adults.”
The TV host — mum to Isabelle, 13, Ace, 11, and Trixie, seven — added: “I get really emotional at the kids because they are just so cute.
“You are willing them on and they just take it all so well.”
Even now, Emma admires the plucky youngsters.
She revealed: “There are times I have stressed out and worried about going on to the stage.
“I think if [at an early age] I had had a glimpse of what these kids do, it wouldn’t intimidate me so much as I got older.”
- The Voice Kids returns to ITV1 and ITVX this Saturday at 7.30pm.
DANNY JONES
EVEN though he has been on the show since 2017, McFly star Danny Jones is kept awake at night by the responsibility of handling youngsters’ dreams.
He said: “Honestly, I lose sleep over it. I ask my family,
"I show them videos, I film the rehearsals and I never know what to do because they are all so good and all so young.
“I’m always chasing a feeling. In the music I make, we try to chase a feeling, whether that’s energy or emotion.
“The goosebumps don’t lie, so it’s not just about taste or what you like or you don’t like.
"If it’s good and it moves you, then they should get a turn.”
RONAN KEATING
BOYZONE legend Ronan Keating is back for his second stint as a judge but he’s still not used to the shock of seeing the singer behind each voice.
He said: “When I sit there and imagine what I think that person looks like, I am always surprised.
“You turn your chair and they never look how they sound. It is incredible.”
“I give constructive criticism to help them be better.
“That is our duty as coaches – to give them confidence and all the right tools.
“It is a great crash course in performance.”
PIXIE LOTT
HAVING mentored three of The Voice Kids’ five winners, the pressure is on for Pixie Lott this year.
She revealed: “Team Pixie this year are all girls.
“It’s so rewarding, and for them to rise to the challenge when they needed too was amazing.”
Talking about what makes her pick a singer, Pixie said: “I would like to say I know what pushes the button but it’s always different every time.
“Sometimes it will just be the tone and they don’t have to do anything crazy.
“You can just feel something there and they are singing from the heart – I think that always gets you.”
WILL.I.AM
GRAMMY-winning rapper WILL.I.AM reckons that, for the show’s talented youngsters, just appearing in the series is like bagging a major award.
The Black Eyed Peas star said: “I want to hug all the mums and dads and say congratulations.
“I think It’s like winning a Grammy, an Emmy or a Bafta.
“The Voice Kids makes me feel like Christmas – it brings energy, joy and lots of happiness.”
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“I look for fearlessness and joy – that’s all you need. I turn around if they just sound cute.
“Their voices melt my heart all the time. They are so young – I’d love to give them all a chance.”
