On Saturday 14th July The Voice Kids 2018 begins to air on T.V and there’s one particular contestant we’ll be looking out for. We recently went to a Liverpool Jazz Club evening and discovered a very special talent named Astrid — a beautiful little 9-year-old from Southport with a distinctive voice who has been likened to Billie Holiday. Now, following a 10 month auditioning process, the wonderfully talented Astrid is appearing in the competition on T.V on Sunday 15th July!
Astrid grew up listening to jazz and blues and has been developing quite a reputation as a singer in the North West. She has performed at many charity events including the ones for Alfie and the balloon release on the day of his passing, Clatterbridge, Alder Hey and Claire House. She loves to share her gift of song with others, especially for good causes, and she’s also a Fab 4000 Ambassador, opened the equi-trek event at Aintree racecourse and performed at Miss Liverpool.
Deciding that it was about time she entered a competition, her mother entered her into Teenstar. She was awarded the Newcomers Award and through this she was approached by a scout for The Voice Kids. After a gruelling selection process featuring over 10,000 participants, Astrid made it to the final 45 for the blind auditions and the televised stage. She will feature on the ITV broadcast on Sunday 15th July at 7.30pm.
La Vida Liverpool caught up with Astrid and her mother, Amanda, for a little Q&A prior to the show being aired:
LVL: So what has The voice experience been like?
Mum: The whole process was really exciting but long. From the start to the programme airing it was over a year with many auditions in London. Over 10,000 kids entered and through many auditions it went down to the final 60 to audition in front of the celebrity coaches. Then only 12 in total are chosen by a coach turning to be on their team.
LVL: How did you get into singing?
Mum: She started singing along to the music we played as we like jazz and blues and then I noticed she had this amazing deep and soulful voice so I entered her in a national competition where she was awarded the newcomers award.
LVL: Who were your main inspirations and who are your favourite music artists?
Astrid: I love Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Etta James and Dinah Washington.
(Above: Astrid with The Voice’s Holly Ellison)
LVL: What are your plans for the future?
Mum: Astrid hopes that when people see her on the Voice Kids she will get an agent who can help her achieve her dreams of singing and developing as a jazz artist in a modern setting like Amy Winehouse.
LVL: What will you do if you become a big star?
Astrid: I’m already a big star in my family’s eyes so that’s enough for me!
Check out Astrid on Facebook and Youtube
Images courtesy of Amanda M Smith
