JADE WOWS SIR TOM ON TV’S VOICE
SHE was on track to become an opera singer – but after the death of her brother, The Voice hopeful Jade Williams let out her inner rock chick in the hope of becoming a star. The 32-year-old, from Merthyr Tydfil, wowed judge Sir Tom Jones on the ITV talent show last night.
The part-time music teacher and musician sang Semisonic’s Secret Smile in front of Sir Tom, Olly Murs, will.i.am and Jennifer Hudson on the hit show.
Before the audition Jade, who is currently living in Brentford, said she was always meant to sing and, after the death of her beloved brother Reuben, she was determined to follow that dream.
She said: “I grew up in South Wales and I ended up living at my grandmother’s eventually because the piano was there.
“I was always on it so I was known as ‘Piano Girl’, even in primary school. I first figured I wanted to get into a specialist music school when I was about nine years old. From 10 to about 13/14 I worked my butt off to get there and I got a full scholarship.
“The path that was put out in front of me was to be an opera singer, but my heart and my head was saying: ‘I want to be a rock star, I want to sing my own words’, but I don’t think I had enough guts to do that because I didn’t want to disappoint anyone.
“During that time, unfortunately, my brother died and it was very apparent that life was very short, so it gave me the courage to go forward and do what I really wanted to do.
“Music is so important to me. I’ve been drawn to it. It is what I am. I am a musician. To do it until the day I die and nothing else. I’m nervous, I feel like I’m about to be judged by the world. I want to present my best self.” And she certainly did, with all four judges impressed by her haunting rendition of the song – but it was Welshman Sir Tom who turned round in the blind audition, saying he’d been waiting for a Welsh contestant to appear on the show. He said: “I knew there was something Welsh going on – that connection. That was a beautiful song and you sung it beautifully. I just could not keep my hand off that button because you were too good not to be on this show.” Former Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am said she had a “logo” voice, likening her to Jennifer Hudson, Beyonce and Kate Bush, before jokingly adding: “I knew you were Welsh because earlier I took part in eating three Welsh cakes and I know there is no competition with pitching against Tom because he is the king of Wales.” The Welsh cakes were a hit with all four judges. Jennifer said she liked them but had “eaten all my points for today”, while Olly was more than happy to eat the whole plate of them – as was will.i.am, who finished off three, leading Sir Tom to remark: “Three for a jolly Welshman – that’s what we say.” Other acts through to the next round include cabaret and burlesque performer Ivy Paige, 16-year-old Kade Smith, opera act Bella Voci, Jamie Grey, who was returning after also trying out on last year’s