Expect the same tension in the battle for vocal supremacy as returning coaches Popstar Royalty Sarah Geronimo, Rock Superstar Bamboo, and Broadway Diva Lea Salonga find the best voices of Filipino kids aged eight to 14. Like the other international versions of “The Voice Kids,” only three coaches will sit in the red swivel chairs and select the artists they want to mentor just by listening to the aspirant’s singing voice in the Blind Auditions.
“It’s a big privilege to get to work with some amazing kids, and hopefully be able to influence them the right way,” said Lea.
Sarah said she feels a deep connection with the young artists as she herself joined several amateur and TV singing contests as a child.
“I see myself in them. I believe it’s my strength and it will help me in coaching them, because I went through everything they are going through,” shared Sarah.
Bamboo, meanwhile, admitted coaching in the kids edition of the program would be difficult just as he had predicted, but sees it as a huge challenge.
“With adults, you already know where they’re headed as an artist. With kids, it’s still a gray area. So I carefully listen to every child so I can give justice to their performance when I comment, whether I turn around or not,” he said.
By the end of the Blind Auditions, the coaches must have selected 18 artists for their respective teams who will proceed to the next rounds of the competition.
The Battle Rounds in the kids version is slightly different from the adults version in that in the former, each coach will have to pit three members on their team by singing one song together. Only one from each grouping will advance to the Sing-Off, where six artists from each team will try to give their all to impress their coach.
In the Sing-Off, each coach must pick two artists who will get into the Semi-Finals. From these six semi-finalists, the Top 4 artists will be selected that will battle it out in the grand finals. This means that one of the coaches might have two star artists who will compete in the finale.
“The Voice Kids” will be hosted by Luis Manzano with Alex Gonzaga.
“I’ve been exposed to kids, so more or less I already know what to say to them and how to make them feel better. I like the backstage area, because they still don’t have that nervousness in them. I get to know their stories, why they’re here, the things they want to accomplish,” said Luis, who previously hosted “Star Circle Kid Quest,” “Junior Minute to Win It,” and “Pilipinas Got Talent.”
For the very first time, Luis will be working with Alex, one of the V-Reporters in “The Voice of the Philippines” Season 1.
“Members of the staff tell us we shouldn’t be working together, because we just laugh and joke around the whole time. But we’ve known each other for the longest time, and it’s honestly a pleasure to work with her,” Luis said.
Alex, for her part, prepared so much for her hosting duties especially that she’s tasked with interacting with the young artists in the ‘tension room.’ According to her, she is able to refresh everything she learned as an Education major in college.
“You have to use different techniques to deal with children, because some of them feel like ‘The Voice’ is their last shot. Before they take the stage in the blind auditions, I am there to boost their morale. They’re kids, so they might get starstruck by the coaches or get intimidated by the lights. I encourage and make them feel at ease,” shared Alex.
Don’t miss the premiere of “The Voice Kids” this May 24 on ABS-CBN. For updates on the program, visit thevoice.abs-cbn.com, like www.facebook.com/thevoiceabscbn, or follow @thevoiceabscbn on Twitter and @abscbnthevoice on Instagram.
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