The Voice Kids | Interview with Melanie C

How does it feel to be part of The Voice Kids?

I was so excited at the prospect of being part of the show. I love the show, I watch, I’m always blown away by the kids and I’ve always loved the Coaches and the dynamic between them all. So, when I was asked, I was over the moon. And I have to say that the experience has actually completely surpassed my expectations in every way. I’ve fallen in love with everybody who works on the show and the children have impressed me in so many ways.

They’re amazing aren’t they, kids that could out-sing a lot of adults…

They are incredible. They’re so talented and I think the thing we’ve really felt on this series – with the kids in a very different world, they’ve all been going through the pandemic and it’s affected everybody. They’ve not been at school, they’ve not been able to socialise and we’ve all had time to think. I think it’s amazing how the children have done that as well and they’ve come to the show with such positivity and they’ve been really inspiring. I think quite a few times throughout the blind auditions myself and will, Danny and Pixie, we’ve all just looked at each other in complete amazement at how inspired we are by these young people.

You’ve been on a panel on a talent show before of course, how does this differ?

This is the one I always wanted to do because it’s my favourite. I think it’s the most positive, the most productive and the whole ethos of it being The Voice and not judging books by the cover but listening to the talent. When you turn around it’s a Brucie Bonus to then see the talent, to see they’re so full of energy and great little stage performers with great charisma. I’ve always loved the whole idea behind the show and I just think that, as these shows go, I do feel like it gives the contestants the best experience.

The Voice Kids really does have a big heart…

It does and you can feel it. There can only be one winner, not everyone can go through but they take everything so well. I think even the kids who have got as far as the blinds, even if no Coaches have turned, they’re just so responsive and so positive and have enjoyed the journey up to that point. Every step of the way it just feels like a very positive experience.

They’re all so respectful of each other’s talent too. I would say that about Team Melanie C, that’s the thing that’s struck me the most. They’re really different as performers and as people but they’ve really come together and that unity has given them strength that allows them all to shine in their own way.

Tell us about Team Melanie C…

My team is amazing. Obviously sitting in that big red chair it was a bit surreal on my first day. I did have a little bit of a weep. It was quite overwhelming. Being a fan of both the kids and the adults show, being in the studio, being on set, being in that big red chair is very surreal but once those kids start singing you just go with your heart. Sometimes the hardest thing is not to turn and we could only pick four so we had to be so, so choosy and my team just worked out brilliantly. I’ve got some incredible singers. And really special people as well. They are really humble, they don’t even realise how brilliant they are and they really look out for each other so, yeah, I love them.

Would you have done a show like this at their age?

I think I would. When I was a kid I was dancing and singing, doing loads of drama and musical theatre at school and I did dancing competitions. It wasn’t a genre that was on TV at the time but if it had been I’m sure I would’ve been queuing up to do my audition.

If you were to have done it back then. Who would have been the four Coaches in those chairs for a ten year old Melanie?

So it was the 80s wasn’t it and I was 10 in 1984. My idols at that time were George Michael, I was just discovering Madonna. I’ve always loved Annie Lennox, I’m a big Eurythmics fan so I think having Annie there would be amazing. The other person that keeps jumping into my head is Adam Ant. I think he would’ve been really fun!

Have all the other Coaches been welcoming?

They have been so lovely. They welcomed me with open arms. I’ve always admired and respected them all in the work they do not only in music but also on the show. They deal with the kids in such a beautiful way and they have a lovely bond as well. I was the newbie coming in so I was a little bit nervous but they were very generous.

Is there a healthy competition going on would you say as well as that lovely bond?

It’s all about the kids. That’s the thing I’ve really felt with the show. We all want to win but at the end of the day you really put the kids first. That said, when we go into the Battles that’s when you’ll see the competition get real!

How is it performing with the coaches?

I absolutely love singing with everybody. It’s so much fun. I think having the opportunity to work with them and just chatting on set and talking about the kids. You know they’ve taught me so much about how to get through the different stages of the show and how to mentor the kids but then getting to do what we all do and all love on stage together is really special.

What in your opinion is the greatest Christmas song of all time?

I’m a big fan of the real classics – Slade’s Merry Christmas Everybody. I mean Mariah’s All I Want For Christmas Is You – as soon as that begins it’s Christmas Day.

Have you got any special Christmas traditions?

Christmas has always been a family time but I think it really started to mean so much more to me when I started working with the Spice Girls because we travelled so much during the year. We were so busy, we were away from home so much but we always kept that Christmas period free. That was the moment when we’d reconnect with our friends, with our families and all go home. That’s remained throughout my career when I’ve done other things away from the girls. I always have to be home for Christmas. It’s not a time for work, it’s a time to really relax and enjoy the people you’ve missed through the year.

So Danny has won one year, Pixie is like an unstoppable force having won three out of four. Are you going to take the crown this year?

Well I think I’m in with a pretty good chance. I have a lot of confidence in my team and being sporty I am quite competitive! I do have a lot of respect for all the Coaches and they’ve been doing it a lot longer than I have so we’ll have to wait and see!

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