Emma Willis: ‘Drunk, emotional & panicked’?
Is back and its host, Emma Willis, spills the beans on working with children, new recruit Paloma Faith, and her desire for a mini Emma to help present…
TheVoiceKids launched on Saturday and coaches will.i.am, Pixie Lott and reigning champ Danny Jones are back in those famous red chairs. Even better, there’s a new judge in town – eccentric Brit award-winning popstar, Paloma Faith. Host Emma Willis, 44, is back too, cheering on singers from the wings. The mum-of-four, opening up about the past few months, admitted she’s had her wobbles. ‘No matter what your circumstances, facing the unknown is really difficult. I’ve had moments where I’ve had to give myself a slap around the face and say: “Get your s**t together cos you’re all right!”’ she confessed, adding, ‘I’m in a privileged position here, so I let myself have a little moan in my head, and then crack on.’ Here, Emma talks talent and her biggest fear…
Hi, Emma. How does it feel to be back on The Voice Kids?
It feels pretty amazing, thank you! You know, for me, it is such a cute little show – and a nice day at work.
This year, you have new coach, Paloma Faith – how has she settled in?
Viewers will remember Paloma when she was a coach on the adult show in 2015. Paloma’s a total pro. She knows the show inside out, she’s been in that chair and coached before. I was interested to see how she’d find coaching kids, but, unsurprisingly, she is absolutely brilliant.
What dynamic does she bring to the panel?
Well, she has a lot of experience, and as a mum herself [Paloma only recently revealed that her three-year-old child is a girl], she is very maternal, so she’s able to get the best out of the kids effortlessly. Plus, she is hysterical. I get the impression she’d rather be coaching kids than grown-ups! Paloma is a welcome addition and a brilliant human being. She’s very
funny, and makes going to work very easy.
And how have you found the talent this year?
Oh, the talent always knocks me sideways. Even though we see kids year-on-year, there’s so much incredible talent out there. I’m always amazed at their ability to belt songs out, just like grown-ups. It’s also really fun with kids, because they are so fearless and it’s not make or break for them, it’s a great day out and, look, you get to meet will.i.am!
Are you tipping a particular coach to win?
It’s too tough to call it. You just never know the way people are going to vote. Also, the kids tend to change so much, from the start of the show to the final. There are a few months in between, so you really don’t know what to expect. Some of them also come back a foot taller!
The kids learn so much from their coaches, but have the kids taught them – or you – anything?
I’ve personally learnt how strong kids are. The biggest fear we all had when we did the first series was saying ‘no’ to a child, and how devastating that was going to be, all round. They are so robust. They’re not out there to make or break at this stage, it is the beginning of their journey in the music business – they are giving it a go, without the pressure.
The coaches singing Sweet Child O’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses with their mini-mes at the launch show was brilliant.
Oh I know, I absolutely loved the song choice and the performance was amazing. I had major FOMO (fear of missing out), because I didn’t have a minime! The kids really got into it, which is always fantastic to see, they loved it.
Would you like to have a mini Emma join you, to present?!
Er, yes! It would save my legs – the journey up and down the stairs in my heels is a killer! Maybe we should do that – it would be brilliant.
The Voice Kids continues on ITV, Saturday at 7.25pm.