Craig Lucas crowned the new ‘voice’
THE stars are still twinkling brightly in Craig Lucas’s eyes after he was crowned the winner of The Voice South Africa with a whopping 1.6 million votes.
The 24-year-old from Elsies River took the top spot ahead of runner-up Josh Ansley in the talent competition’s second year. The finale had Lucas in tears as he celebrated with supporters and mentor Kahn Morbee.
The star from Salberau in Elsies River lives metres away from the home of murdered Courtney Pieters, and during his fourth live-round show, Lucas dedicated his rendition of Sign of the Times to Courtney and other children murdered in the Western Cape this year.
“It’s a track close to my heart, given everything that is happening in the world and particularly back at home.
“I dedicated that song to Courtney Pieters and the 18 other little ones murdered in the Western Cape this year,” he said.
Speaking from Joburg a day after his win, Lucas described himself as a quiet and shy guy who always loved music.
“I suffered from really bad performance anxiety for many years and resigned myself to being a songwriter instead of a singer.”
His family were the driving force behind his entry to the talent competition.
“I am an avid follower of The Voice. Given how much I love the show, when my friends and family heard that it was coming to South Africa, they basically threatened me to enter.
“I took the plunge, not expecting to make it past the first round, but the coaches and directors of the show were really incredible, and instrumental in developing me as a singer.
“It hasn’t sunk in yet that I have won,” Lucas said. “I can’t believe this has happened. I haven’t yet had a moment to myself to reflect on what happened. I think it will all sink in once I get back home.”
As part of his winnings, Lucas won a contract with Universal Music SA, a Subaru car, Samsung prizes worth R100 000, R250 000 cash from Dialdirect, and Truworths vouchers worth R100 000.