The Voice Kids UK named another champion last weekend, adding 13-year old Filipino singer Justine Afante to its list of winners. The Swansea resident is the fourth winner of the popular talent show.
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| FACEBOOK / THE VOICE KIDS UK 2020 |
Afante impressed the judges with her final solo performance, where she covered Beyonce’s song “Listen.” She bested 7-year old fellow British-Filipino Victoria Alsina from Team will.i.am. Dara McNicholl and George Elliott were also in the running for the crown.
After host Emma Willis announced that she was the winner, the young singer remarkably cried with joy and fell on her knees. When Willis asked how she was feeling, she joked that she had trouble breathing.
Because of her win, Afante will take home £30,000. She will also be taken on a trip to Universal Orlando Resort for the ultimate theme park experience.
Afante’s work with Lott
The new champion was part of the team of English songstress Pixie Lott. Afante memorably sang a duet of Stevie Wonder’s “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing” with Lott in the finale episode.
During her blind audition in the third episode, Afante sang “Never Enough” from the musical film “The Greatest Showman.” Her performance was stunning enough to prompt a four-chair turn from the coaches. She eventually chose Lott as her coach.
Lott notably has a good track record of coaching the eventual winner, with her team’s previous victories in the first two series. She only stumbled last year when McFly lead vocalist Danny Jones prevailed with series three champ Sam Wilkinson.
Multiple Filipino contestants
Coincidentally, Afante and Alsina were not the only Filipinos who passed the blind auditions in The Voice UK series 4. Afante’s teammate Joshua Regala was voted out in the semifinals.
Rachel O’Donnell and Jarren Garcia were eliminated in early August. O’Donnell was with Team Paloma Faith while Garcia was part of Team Danny Jones.
Source: manilatimes.net
