Pixie Lott has responded to critics of the upcoming junior version of ‘The Voice’, amid an ongoing discussion about whether children should be appearing on reality TV.
The ‘Mama Do’ singer will serve as a judge on the upcoming first series of ‘The Voice Kids’, alongside McFly’s Danny Jones and regular ‘The Voice’ staple will.i.am.
In an interview with ‘BUILD’, she has defended the series from the suggestion that its contestants - aged between 7 and 14 years old - are too young to be taking part in a TV talent show.
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Pixie Lott on 'BUILD'
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Pixie explained: “Because I have been doing this pretty much my whole life, I’ve had exactly the same experiences [as the contestants].
“At their age I was doing loads of auditions for things, and I actually think it’s better for kids, if they know that they want to be in this career and this profession long-term, then to have all those knockbacks and rejections that I had from a really young age.
“[Starting from a young age] just set me up so much better for now, because it makes you have a thicker skin.
“Now when [rejections] happen to me - which happens all the time - it’s just water off a duck’s back. I’m literally like, I’ve had this millions of time. Whereas if I was just experiencing it now, I think I would find it really, really tough.”
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Pixie and her fellow coaches
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She continued: “I think it’s great for [the young contestants] to experience that and to have those knockbacks. It makes you learn and it makes you come back stronger.
“And the kids that have been on the show, they’re fearless. They’re so excited to be there, they know they’re so young, they know it’s the beginning, they know they can go on and do a million other things, it’s not like this is their last chance.”
‘Britain’s Got Talent’ judge Amanda Holden has previously hit back over the suggestion the ITV reality show was too harsh for its young participants, particularly after a handful have struggled with the pressure of live shows.
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Amanda has judged every series of 'BGT' since it launched
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Leanne Mitchell(02 of12)
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Sadly, the show's first ever winner found herself dropped last year, after releasing just one album. Leanne has since blamed the fact her label waited too long after her victory on 'The Voice' in releasing the album for its lack of commercial success, claiming she's happy she didn't "cop out" and release a covers album. (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
Tyler James(03 of12)
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Tyler "I Was Best Friends With Amy Winehouse" James (she's mentioned six times on his Wikipedia page alone) was a fan-favourite during the first series of 'The Voice', famously performing a duet with will.i.am dangling from the ceiling.Sadly this didn't translate to a fruitful music career and his last offering in 2012 stalled at number 47 in the UK album chart. (credit:REX/Brian Rasic)
Bo Bruce(04 of12)
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Vince Kidd(05 of12)
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Had the people who voted on 'The X Factor' also voted on 'The Voice', Vince would probably have won, and could potentially be one of the biggest faces on the music scene, even three years later.Sadly, this was not the case, and Leanne took the crown while Vince came in fourth place (potentially down to the fact he performed one of Jessie J's lesser-known songs as his 'coaches duet').That said, Vince is still making music, and last year co-wrote and provided vocals for the Alpines' track 'Zero'. (credit:Rex)
Twinnie Lee Moore(06 of12)
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Already a successful musical theatre actress when she auditioned for 'The Voice' in 2012, Twinnie Lee has since focused on her acting career, and made a storm in 'Hollyoaks' when she arrived on the scene as Porsche McQueen in November last year.She also, judging from this photo, loves a good hat. (credit:Rex/Tom Horton)
Jamie Johnson(07 of12)
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Leah McFall(08 of12)
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One of the most unanimously-praised 'Voice' contestants ever, kooky and talented Leah is due to release her debut album 'Weird To Wonderful' later this year.She's been in the studio with former mentor, will.i.am, collaborating with him on the track, 'Home'. (credit:Neil Lupin via Getty Images)
Andrea Begley(09 of12)
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Andrea famously caused will.i.am to storm off set when she was announced as winner in 2013, over his act, Leah McFall.Since taking her place on the 'Voice' throne, Andrea has hit the UK top ten with an album of covers, 'The Message'.Last year, she also completed her Masters degree in Law and Governance... which would appear to suggest we won't be hearing a follow-up album for the time being. (credit:Harlem Mepham via Getty Images)
Max Milner(10 of12)
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Don't let that haphazard peace sign deceive you - Max is actually on of the former contestants to still be making music, performing alongside Kaiser Chiefs at the launch of Jaguar's new model last year.He also recently unveiled his latest release, 'Man Overboard'. (credit:Rex/Ray Tang)
Sally Barker(11 of12)
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