Justine Afante
For the Filipino-British singer Justine Afante, words can’t describe her journey to becoming the fourth champion of the “The Voice Kids UK.”
“I’m thankful to have been one of the few people to experience such a thing! It has been an absolute honor. I can’t believe I’m the winner!” the 13-year-old wrote in an Instagram post after her recent victory.
Justine, whose family now lives in Swansea, Wales, bested three other aspirants in the singing competition’s grand finals, which was held without a live audience because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In an interview with the Welsh news website Wales Online, Justine said she was “really surprised” when the show’s host, Emma Willis, called out her name.
“It was absolutely amazing. I had seen all the others perform, too, and everyone’s so talented,” she said of the other contestants, Victoria Alsina, Dara McNicholl and George Elliott. “I would have been so happy to get to the finals—even if I didn’t win. But I’m really lucky I won,” she said.
Justine’s showing throughout the show was especially remarkable, because she didn’t have any prior experience joining contests. “I have been singing since I was about 2 years old. I sang along to the television … around the house.”
“I started singing at parties then. The first one I sang at was actually my birthday, when I turned 7. But I haven’t really done any competitions or anything like this,” she added.
Her winning piece was Beyoncé’s “Listen,” a ballad from the musical film “Dreamgirls.”
“I chose ‘Listen’ as it’s a song that really showcases the voice so much. The words and the emotion in it mean so much, and the song allows you to put in the emotion and give people goosebumps,” pointed out Justine, who wowed all four judges with her performances.
Her mentor, singer-songwriter Pixie Lott described Justine as “absolutely incredible,” “unique” and “special.”
“I know how much you have grown. You didn’t know you could hit these notes …You have had that in you all along. But now, because you’re believing in yourself … all those people who said you had no talent, you have just proven them a hundred-percent wrong,” she said during the show. “I feel so lucky that I have witnessed that.”
On Instagram, Pixie also thanked Justine for the hard work she put in; for taking on every challenge; and for always leaving her “blown away.”
“I’m so impressed with what you can do and the performer you have turned into over this series. For me to watch that has been the biggest joy. But I knew it was always there we just had to get you to know! Keep that glow girl and shine it everywhere,” she said.
Justine Afante (right) with coach Pixie Lott
Danny Jones of the pop-rock band McFly found Justine’s rendition “effortless.” “You come up on that stage and you look calm and composed and professional,” he said.
Hip-hop star and record producer will.i.am called Justine the “poster child” for “The Voice Kids.” “Your performance was like the perfect performance to prove anyone wrong that kids under 14 don’t have extraordinary talent,” stressed the Black Eyed Peas founding member.
“I feel grateful that you’re so humble enough to come sing to us, because that was a very expensive performance,” singer-actress Paloma Faith chimed in.
Justine was awarded 30,000 pounds (about P2 million) for her musical education and a family trip to Universal Orlando Resort in Florida. But more than the money, the teenage singer is grateful for the friends she made and all lessons she learned along the way.
“The amount of friends I have made was so incredible! The support, friendship and the confidence-building I have had during the competition was a dream come true,” she said. “Thank you Victoria, George and Dara for becoming amazing friends of mine. I’m so proud of you and I love you all.”
Justine also paid tribute to her coach, Pixie, resident voice teacher, Jai Ramage, as well as the show’s other mentors.
“Thank you to the best coach in the world, Pixie Lott, and the best vocal coach Jai Ramage. Without you both I wouldn’t have become as confident and strong. So, thank you both for believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself. Now I definitely do!” she said.
“Thank you to all the other coaches for being so supportive,” Justine said. “Thank you to all the crew who supported me and brought such positivity every time I was with everyone.”