Pixie Lott, a mentor on new TV series The Voice Kids, has dismissed claims that the competition is too tough for children.
The singing competition is open to those aged between seven and 14. Not every child can make it though to the next round, but Pixie believes that rejection can be a learning curve.
“The kids that didn’t go through to the next round are so fearless and so excited just to be there,” said Pixie, who was sporting a newly dyed pink hair’do, as she appeared on Good Morning Britain.
“And we get to speak to them afterwards.
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“They’re still so excited about their futures and what they can do because they are so young. It’s not like it’s their last chance.
“They really just seem so happy to be there.”
Pixie herself has been performing since she was a child. At the age of five, she attended the Italia Conti Associates Saturday School in Chislehurst, before being awarded a scholarship to the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts at the age of 11.
She appeared in the West End production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang as a teenager. And while she missed school to record her first album, she still got straight ‘A’ grades in her GCSES.
The former Strictly Come Dancing star didn’t get every role she wanted, and says that rejection stood her in good stead for the future.
“Now that I’m a little bit older, it’s sort of like water off a duck’s back, I’ve got a thicker skin,” she said.
“I’ve been through knock-backs and not got through to the next round,” she said on Good Morning Britain. “And if I would have just experienced it for the first time as a 26-year-old, I’d find it a lot harder.
“So I think it’s a great thing to have experiences like that being young and knowing there are so many more opportunities ahead of you.”
Pixie’s fellow The Voice Kids judges are will.i.am and McFly star Danny Jones. The show is hosted by Emma Willis.
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