The Voice UK’s new coach LeAnn Rimes explains how the present’s format has benefited queer expertise. (Getty)
The Voice UK coaches LeAnn Rimes and Tom Jones have mirrored on why they suppose the singing contest has made the music trade extra accessible for LGBTQ+ artists.
Grammy-Award-winning “Can’t Combat The Moonlight” singer Rimes will likely be seen sitting in one of many well-known rotating seats for the primary time later this month. She’ll be alongside fellow newbies, McFly’s Danny Jones and Tom Fletcher, in addition to present veterans Tom Jones and Will.i.am, who’ve been coaches because the first sequence in 2012.
Talking to PinkNews forward of the brand new sequence, Rimes shared her ideas on how The Voice as a format – the coaches solely hear, not see the singers earlier than deciding whether or not they need them on their workforce – has benefited musicians from minority teams, similar to queer or disabled performers.
Famously, different expertise reveals launched forward of The Voice UK, similar to The X Issue and American Idol, focus closely on whether or not somebody had the general public picture of a pop star, and, through the years, some former contestants have revealed that they have been instructed to cover or lie about their sexual orientation or gender identification in case they “alienated” potential followers.
However, as Rimes mentioned, The Voice UK is all about expertise.
“One of many issues with the present is that we actually are listening to the expertise, and it’s not about picture. That’s what attracts me to [the] present, as a result of we dwell in a world the place all the pieces is about picture [while] expertise is up to now down on the listing. We don’t care what you appear to be, we simply need you to maneuver us.
“Then, after we flip round, typically we’re blown away [because] the voice doesn’t actually match the particular person, and it occurs typically. That’s what’s so nice in regards to the present: everyone seems to be welcome. It doesn’t matter who you might be, what you appear to be.”
Codecs of different expertise contests have typically left LGBTQ+ performers being handled as “joke” acts. Even only a decade in the past, out queer artists might obtain solely restricted success.
Rimes believes that being authentically who you might be is one thing The Voice UK embraces.
“You need to bear in mind [that] what you suppose is odd about you, is what is definitely going to set you other than all people else. Embrace these quirks and all of your weirdness and all of your ‘shortcomings’,” she mentioned.
“All that humanness is what makes an individual relatable. We typically like to shove that aspect of us down and attempt to wrap it up on this lovely bundle, and it’s simply not actual. For me, it’s simply nice to go off uncooked expertise,” she added.
“Intercourse Bomb” singer Jones additionally had recommendation for contestants who haven’t seen themselves represented within the music trade earlier than. Whereas it’s common for musicians to have doubts of their talents, self-confidence is essential to success, no matter your sexual orientation or gender identification, he mentioned.
“You’ve received to consider in your self, greater than anything. It doesn’t matter what individuals say, you’ve received to consider in your self, that may get you thru. It does occur, particularly earlier than you’ve confirmed to your self you could achieve success. Folks don’t consider it typically at the start.
“In case you don’t place confidence in your self, you’re useless. You’ll by no means have the ability to stroll on stage or do something in life, not solely singing. You’ve received to have willpower and perception in your self.”
The Voice UK has made stars of plenty of LGBTQ+ singers, together with chart-topper Becky Hill who appeared within the first season.
The Voice UK returns to ITV1 and ITVX on 31 August.
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