The Voice Kids coaches were left stunned by a 13-year-old’s incredible and powerful performance during Saturday night’s semi-final.
Jessica Richardson took to the ITV stage to belt out Katy Perry’s track Unconditional and was lavished with praise by both the coaches and viewers.
Ahead of Jessica’s performance, her coach, Danny Jones, had said: “She brings to the competition a huge, huge voice.
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“The power that she can bring from such a small, young person is so incredibly impressive.”
She was the last member of Team Danny to perform, as all four team members kicked off the semi-final with a performance they hoped would grant them a place in Sunday evening’s final.
Jessica, who admitted she’d never expected to get to the semi-final, was given a massive applause and a standing ovation after she performed the ballad.
“I’m so proud!” gushed Danny.
“That was so amazing You kept your composure and it’s so nerve-wracking coming out and singing a big song like that.”
Fellow coach Pixie Lott said: “I’m a big fan of you, Jessica. When you go up to those high bits, that’s when you just sound incredible.”
Will.i.am added: “That performance was spectacular. The energy was awesome.”
And fans on Twitter certainly agreed!
@thevoicekidsuk watching this for the first time. Oh my! Jessica has an amazing voice! #watchhernow
— Marlene Woolgar (@memarwoo) July 15, 2017
@jessrichsinging Wow. Vocal perfection as always Jessica. Great #TheVoiceKidsUK semi final performance
— Adrian Kavanagh (@AdrianKavanagh) July 15, 2017
Good song choice jessica was really good!! @itsDannyJones
— Sophie Shaw (@sophieeshaw99) July 15, 2017
https://twitter.com/hiyaitskerry/status/886298274906468352
Unfortunately for Jessica, she didn’t manage to nab a place in the final.
Will.i.am and Pixie both told Danny it was a very hard decision he had to make, sending two of his young performers home and keeping two, when all four had performed so well.
Before announcing his decision, Danny said: “You know how much fun we’ve had and how much I believe in every single one of you.
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“You’re all so individually brilliant and have become artists throughout this competition, which I can see go on in the future.”
Danny chose to take Erin and Courtney through to the final, eliminating Jessica and Jack.
Needless to say, some viewers were disappointed to see Jessica going home.
#TeamDanny #TheVoiceKidsUK Feel so gutted for Jess 😘😘😘 she was so amazing and got great voice, really wanted Jessica to win.
— NaveedAid (@NaveedAid) July 15, 2017
Wrong decision, Jessica was by far the best of your acts! @itsDannyJones #thevoicekidsuk
— Jayne Brazier (@BrazierJayne) July 15, 2017
Gutted for Jessica she really deserved a place in the final #TheVoiceKidsUK amazing talent 👋
— Lisa Purbrick 💙 (@LisaPurbrick) July 15, 2017