‘THE KIDS ARE FEARLESS - WE CAN LEARN A LOT’
The coaches are back in those red chairs
As host Emma Willis says, The Voice Kids is the perfect antidote to what’s happening in the world right now. Adorable, talented children singing (and rapping!) their little hearts out, trying to get the four coaches to turn their chairs. This time around, Paloma Faith has joined the panel (replacing Jessie J) alongside Will.i.am., Pixie Lott and Mcfly’s Danny Jones. Chatting to heat via Zoom just before the first episode aired last week, Paloma explains (in her own unique way) how delighted she is to be part of the show. “It feels wonderful, I’ve never experienced this much kindness in one room in all of my years in the spotlight,” she says. “And I feel quite elated. It’s really special working with the kids… It makes you reflect on how, in adulthood, you get broken down a bit. But these kids have this fearlessness, which we can learn from as adults. They’re fearless about their individuality, and I feel really blessed and honoured to be in their company.”
Will – who chooses to change his Zoom background to a picture of Tower Bridge – is thrilled to be with Paloma again after the pair worked as coaches on the original series of The Voice UK. He tells us, “The core of Paloma is love and fun and uniqueness, I love her energy.” After calling her a “big kid” in the first ep, he tells us, “If we were in kindergarten together, I’d want to be her best friend.”
Last year’s winning coach, Danny, admits he’d love another victory, but tells us, “I’m not greedy.” Though he’s already got his hopes high for a future winner in his two-year-old son Cooper, saying, “He’s a star! If I sing, ‘Old Mcdonald had a farm…’ he goes, ‘E-I-E-I-O!’”
While all the coaches say they have been using lockdown to focus on their own music, writing and
‘I’m in need of a mani-pedi’ Will.i.am
recording over video calls, Will also admits he’s not normally a fan of a day off. “I don’t like the feeling of being idle. Vacations don’t make sense,” he exclaims. “What I really like is spa days. A spa day is still productive, you can still do things because you’re working on relaxing your muscles, getting a mani-pedi. I’m in need of a mani-pedi. If I took off my shoes, everyone would be like, “Will.i.am’s a monster!”
Will best get an appointment booked in for fellow coach Pixie’s wedding to model Oliver Cheshire, as she confirms he’s on the guest list. “Yeah, he’s got an invite,” she says. “Although we haven’t decided a date yet.”
One thing the 29 year old has decided, however, is that she’ll have a modest 18 bridesmaids. “I just don’t want to leave anyone out,” she tells us. “I’m not saying I’ve got loads of friends, it’s just my best friends from school, my cousins, Ollie’s family, my sister and then some flower girls – my cousins’ kids and stuff. It all adds up, doesn’t it?” ■