'The Voice' Australia is back! Are you a fan? Many say the blind auditions - when the coaches/mentors have their backed turned to hear the contestants sing and base their decision on seeing them through to the next round - are the best part. Here is a sneak peek of their song on tonight's show, where Seal, Delta Goodrem, Kelly Rowland and Boy George sing 'Vertigo'
And, the coaches taking their seats:
Relive some of the best 2016 moments... and check back in here for new videos:
In an article in 'The Daily Telegraph' by Amy Harris just published online overnight, he says: Writes Amy Harris:
Sydney’s Alfie Arcuri and Gold Coast chanteuse Tash Lockhart are the clear frontrunners with Arcuri most likely to take the crown following his emotional journey, which saw him come out.
Arcuri credits his performance on the show to the fact he finally came to terms with his sexuality.
“I honestly don’t think I could even sing before I came out,” he says. “Because I never had any faith in myself. And I didn’t really have a voice.”
Read the original article here. Josie's Juice can also reveal from a source that he came out about three years ago. We saw MORE POWER to you, Alfie! Handsome, hugely talented... the complete package.
In an article in news.com.au, it has been confirmed that Ricky Martin will NOT be returning to 'The Voice' Australia. They report: Perhaps that’s why the network chose 7.57pm on Christmas Eve to sneakily announce that he won’t be returning as a judge this year.
Well, they sort of announced it without really announcing it.
The easily missed press release didn’t mention Martin’s name once — not a single reference to the fact that he won’t be part of the big-budget show.
Instead, it focused on the addition to the 2016 line-up of pop star and former judge on The X Factor, Ronan Keating.
In the article, a spokeswoman confirmed:
“Ricky remains a part of The Voice family."
“He is taking time off next season to focus on his world tour and music commitments.”
As then announced to the public minutes later on the show's Facebook page, Delta Goodrem, Jessie J and Benji and Joel Madden are all confirmed to return in 2016.
Are you a fan of 'The Voice' Australia and have kids who are super-fans? They're in luck. The new 'The Voice Kids' Australia is about to kick off and here is the sneak peek clip:
The mentors for this first season of the show were introduced last year - they're here.
There is often context to what you see on TV (I know you know that… right?) and this is a perfect example. On 'The Voice' Australia this week Ingrid Pullen was watching her partner Dallas James knock it out of the park on stage. The camera cut to her. This is what went down:
And below, the real story, from the woman herself:
Hello beautiful mothers ~ This is me and my darling son Tashi (22 months here) taken from the TV show The Voice Australia while my amazing manDallas James Music was doing his blind audition on stage! They showed this on National TV As you can imagine i had to do what all loving mummies do (Tashi was freaked out by the cameras and he was exhausted after being at the studio since 5am). He was having a melt down and i could not even hear Dallas perform. Boob was the loving fix Plus i was told they would film from the shoulders up. I told them 'i don't care about being on TV, i just want to hear Dallas! But I'm glad they did not… as its given huge exposure and energy to normalising breastfeeding..yay!! The producers of the show are lovely woman, so maybe that was their plan.. maybe! So, its actually gone a little crazy! Doing lots of interviews and things. Im really enjoying giving power to Mothers Rights!! The hype will die down soon. Just want to check in here with you ABA and ask if there is anything you advise me to do or you would like me to do in representing breastfeeding? Thanks
Have you seen this yet? Twenty eight million people (and counting) have. It's a blind audition from 'The Voice' Italy… and this nun is on fire. There is so much I love about this (and I thank two of my Italo-Australian friends for showing me this link). She's a nun and she can belt out a tune (Alicia Keys!) like nobody's business. She's Sicilian. I get to see Raffaela Carra' (so part of my youth) again. I get to hear awesome Italian accents and that golden language (proper Italian, not Sicilian dialect!) again. Here is the translated video blurb from YouTube:
"Sister Cristina Scuccia 25 years old, is Sicilian but lives in Milan and is an Orsolina nun of the Holy Family. Her childhood dream was to become a singer, in 2008 the Orsolina Sisters organize a music hall in which she finds herself by chance. A non-believer, and against the Church ... she instead finds Love.
Insecure in life, she is convinced by her Mother Superiors in participating to The Voice of Italy ... this is now her mission!"
The Nine Network has commissioned 'The Voice Kids'for 2014, a new series to showcase the vocal talent of Aussie kids aged 8-14. And now... the coaches. We already know Delta Goodrem is one. And Joel Madden is another. And now, the 'Today' show has exclusively revealed the third coach. It is: Benji Madden. Joel's twin brother! AND: Mel B.
After the extraordinary success of the first two seasons of 'The Voice Kids', the spin-off program opened auditions for the next gen of singers, which is set to reveal - all over again, but in pint-size version - the same talent and beautiful TV moments as the grown-ups' version on 'The Voice'.
'The Voice Kids' is already a global ratings smash hit in more than 15 countries!
The show willfeature the same spectacular set with electrifying blind auditions and thrilling battles that culminate in a grand finale where only the best of the best young singers will get their chance to perform.
Michael Healy, Nine Network’s Director of Television, said: “The Voice has been an incredible success for Nine and we look forward to The Voice Kids shining a light on the enormous pool of undiscovered young talent this country has to offer.”
Julie Ward, Director of Entertainment for Shine Australia, said: “We are excited to open The Voice stage up to the next generation of great Australian talent. We are confident that there are amazing young singers who will benefit from the unique experience of being part of The Voice and we want to see them register to audition.”
While applications for 'The Voice Kids' Auditions have now closed, stay tuned about the show's screen date.
This JUST in. Kylie Minogue has been confirmed as a coach on 'The Voice' Australia for the new season in 2014.
This photo was JUST posted on the Facebook page for 'The Voice' Australia.
Check back in for more deets. Kylie is yet comment, but it is confirmed.
She will join new recruit, fellow coach Will.I.Am. The coaches returning are: Ricky Martin and Joel Madden. So, Seal will not be returning, nor will Delta Goodrem. It is understood Delta Goodrem will be joining the new, upcoming spin-off show 'The Voice Kids' Australia.
And so, here are the FOUR coaches for 'The Voice' Australia - all confirmed:
In music/TV/celeb news just in, Kylie Minogue has been named as a coach on 'The Voice UK'.
Kylie Minogue, will.i.am and Sir Tom Jones have been confirmed as coaches on series three of The Voice UK (bet you are wondering if we will get the show here? News on this soon, we hope).
Kylie said:"I'm very excited to become a Coach on The Voice. I love the concept of the show and have been an avid viewer of both series. The search for new talent is such an important aspect of the music industry and The Voice gives us all a part to play in that. Will I be competitive? Probably more than even I imagine! Watch this space!"
Harrison Craig has been named the winner of The Voice Australia 2013.
The young man - he is only 18! - took out the coveted title over second place getter, Luke Kennedy in the grand final which aired live on Channel Nine tonight.
Harrison has been my fave from the very beginning and he has been a favourite for viewers from the get-go.
He has a continuous stream of top 10 hits on the iTunes charts, and chose Seal as his coach - even though all four coaches turned their chair during that very first audition:
It was during his audition he revealed he has a stutter, which is only present when he speaks, not when he sings. He has also revealed parts of his life story over the weeks, including the fact his father left him and his mother and younger brother when he was a young child.
Interestingly, the final result was a mirror of the 2012 grand final: in fourth place in the singing comp was Team Joel (Danny Ross). In third place, Team Delta (Celia Pavey). Team Ricky took second place (Luke Kennedy), and Team Seal winning the entire thing - with Harrison Craig.
As is customary during the last show, each contestant took to the stage to perform one last time with their coaches.
Danny Ross sang "Pompeii" by Bastille with Joel Madden. Luke and Ricky Martin sang the 'Moulin Rouge' soundtrack version of "Roxanne" by The Police. Celia and Delta Goodrem sang the Fleetwood Mac classic "Go Your Own Way", and Harrison and Seal sang "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" for their duet... tears! So beautiful.
As per usual, the grand final featured big name guests: tonight, it was Ryan Tedder (Delta's mentor during the battle stage), and Robin Thicke (yes, son of Alan Thicke from 'Family Ties', for sharp-eyed, older viewers) who performed number one hit "Blurred Lines." Delta and Ricky also belted out the TV debuts of their singles "Heart Hypnotic" (Delta), and "Come With Me" (Ricky).
So, what does Harrison win?
He has won a recording contract with Universal Music Australia, $100,000 cash and a brand new Ford Kuga car.
Harrison's debut album "More Than a Dream" will be released June 25 (yes, next week! Tuesday!) and will feature his new single "Unconditional," which he debuted at the end of the show.
What a season! Did you enjoy it? Will be tuning in again in 2014?
For a behind the scenes tour of the show, click here. And to see Delta grand finale's gown in glorious detail, click here. Bonus: Harrison's early performance, pre-The Voice:
And here is his profile piece from reporter Alison Piotrowski on 'A Current Affair':
If you watched 'The Voice Australia' finale you would have likely been mesmerised by Delta Goodrem's gown. Here are all the details: Delta wore a Steven Khalil gown, beautifully embellished with House of Emmanuele jewels. And now, the DIVINE dress from every angle possible.
Ta-da! The finished product on goddess Delta. The gown is called 'White Light':
All photos courtesy House of Emmanuele Facebook page. Follow them here.
On 'The Voice' Australia this evening, Delta is smashing it out of the park with her get-up - from her head to her toes.
From her stylish new bob, to her hot pink lips, to her outfit - Alex Perry dress, Louboutin shoes, and Jan Logan necklaces - her additional jewels are, as always, the centrepiece of the entire ensemble.
As with many a time for Delta, she chose to wear House of Emmanuele pieces. Made by Australian jewellery designer Emmanuele Tsakiris, the cuff and ring are brand new designs, from the Glamazon collection. The Glamazon gold cuff is AUD$515 and the Glamazon ring is $155, For more info, go here.
And here is a close up of the pieces from House of Emmanuele. Divine with a capital D.
This could be the most beautiful song I have seen and heard on 'The Voice' Australia... ever. The duet last night - the song was called 'Bayini' - sung by Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu and Delta Goodrem was sublime, haunting, beautiful. Watch:
The song was performed to mark Reconciliation Week, and I thought it was a fitting and incredibly moving tribute. Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu is an exceptional human being with an incredible talent. Born blind, he have never learned Braille, and goes through life unassisted (no guide dog or cane). He speaks only a few words of English, although he sings stories of his land in both languages (Gälpu, Gumatj or Djambarrpuynu, allYolŋu Matha) and English. He was formerly with ARIA award winning band Yothu Yindi, and he is now with Saltwater Band. He plays drums, keyboards, guitar and didgeridoo, but it's his singing voice that is pure heaven, and has critics raving. He is in Sydney now performing at the Vivid Sydney festival. UPDATED: this ethereal, beautiful song is now available on i-Tunes. Click here to buy. Money from each sale of the single will be donated to the wonderful work of the Gurrumul Yunupingu Foundation.
Josie's Juice Blog Copyright 2013 Photo: The Voice Australia
Last week I went along to the last of the live shows for 'The Voice' Australia and I had a blast. Now, I am as much a fan of Ricky Martin as the next 30- or 40-something woman who should know better than to scream inappropriately at this fabulous pop music icon (and yes, he's scream-worthy in person), but for me, the excitement lies in experiencing the behind the scenes stuff. You know, the warm up guy's antics (veteran warm-up man Michael Pope, take a bow - how on earth do you remain so comical and pumped for over THREE HOURS?!); seeing what happens during the commercial breaks, from the re-touching of makeup, to the polishing of floors, to quick lint wipe-offs. And then there's the almost-acrobatics performed by the floor manager, weaving in and out at the right time, the camera guy and his assistant who shadows him as he carts a 'floating' camera, running in and out to capture the best angle possible during the live broadcast. It's all fascinating to watch, and time and again you realise just how hard the crew work to make this show... flawless. Oh look, here's me at the very end of the show, before being herded out in amongst the loyal fans who hung back to grab autographs from the judges. The judges were all very lovely and giving, especially to the young, avid fans.
So, back to the whole production of the show. Media is taken through an entrance separate to the general public. As we chat with fellow journos (I meet the delightful 'A Current Affair' reporter Alison Piotrowski, who is the official 'The Voice' reporter, covering everything to do with the show, from profiling each person through, to behind the scenes coverage) we are taken through the 'guts' of the set. My plus one is an excitable yet cool customer and we see the fabulous loyal fans lined up, and are shown to our seats. We are sitting on Seal's side, and as soon as we sit down one thing is obvious: the set is smaller than it looks on TV. It's still a 1000 people+ venue, but the magic of TV inflates... everything. It's 7pm , and it's time for the judges to grace the stage, and out they come. Seal is first - loud screams. He's a man mountain and cuts an imposing figure. Next is Joel, and yes... he looks tad shorter than you'd expect. Newly coloured and shaven hairdo: check. And then there's Delta. She cuts a statuesque figure as she strides across the stage in her long, flowy pink frock, and perfectly coiffed newly shorn locks. The woman looks like a goddess.
And then... Ricky Martin. The screams are deafening; the new judge's fan base is vocal, loud, and kinda obsessed. But it's oh-so-fun to watch. You can imagine that women who loved him when they were young girls - in the early days when he was in Latino boy band Menudo - have grown up with him and have no shame in going nuts in his presence. Oh, okay... here's a pic of Menudo:
And here's a pic of the judges as they're introduced at the start of the show:
Seal, Joel, Delta, Ricky at the last live 'Showdown' show. Pic: courtesy The Voice Facebook page
After the judges are introduced, UK-boy band The Wanted come on stage to perform the world exclusive-first of their new song 'Walk Like Rihanna.' The crowd cheer and the atmosphere is fantastic. A gazillion girls do their back-up dance thing, and it's wonderful watching the production. Except... they have to do it all over again, as it's missing that extra something. The performance is then interwoven into the live broadcast later that evening. Hearing the singers perform for their spot in the final 16 is quite the experience - the old adage that everything sounds better live is true. Christina Torres and Emma Pask were crowd faves and sound exceptional in their own way (Christina won a spot in the finals) and being so up close to the action is a dream for any fan of the show. As Michael Pope points out, the venue holds around 1000 people, but up to 2 million people are watching at home. So, if you love the show as I unashamedly do, it's a wonderful, close-up opportunity to be a part of it all. And, from Monday May 20, the live shows continue, this time each Monday, where all the final singers get to sing. For die-hard fans, you won't want to miss the serious end of the TV talent comp. Tune in to 'The Voice' Australia each Monday at 7.30pm
The PeepToe new season launch - held at the newly opened The Courtyard Bar at Potts Point (under Hugo's) was a stylish success.
Greeted by gorgeous model wearing identical tees and leather minis and... PeepToes, I was even more dazzled by the extraordinarily blingy necklaces and earrings sported by the women.
Here's a snapshot of the evening, below.
There were delicious morsels by Gallivant Catering, fabulous cupcakes by Ghermez Cupcakes, and Gelatissimo Bambino cones. SO good.
The company was fun. I brought along my gal pal, makeup artist Maria, and the guests included 'The Voice's host Darren McMullen who hung out with his gorgeous new girlfriend Bree Robertson - who just happened to be the fantastic entertainment for the evening (she's a breathtakingly good contortionist); Prinnie Stevens, beauty blogger Chloe Morello, and loads of fashion industry people, all there to see the PeepToe Statement Collection. And yes, it's all beautiful... although I have my eye on the rose gold neckpiece. Just gorgeous.
Darren McMullen and Bree Robertson
Mmm, cupcakes!
Guests at PeepToe
The glam models at PeepToe
PeepToe models and Prinnie Stevens from 'The Voice' (2012)
Gallivant Catering
Bree Robertson
Bree and PeepToe's Nikki (with THAT necklace I love)
Bree Robertson - talented contortionist
The gorgeous Chloe Morello
Gelatissimo 'Bambino Cones'
PeepToe's Jessica and guest
The stylish PeepToe team
Guests at the event
Gorgeous Prinnie at the event
To start shopping the Statement Collection, click here.
