'The Voice UK': Where Are Former Contestants Jermain Jackman, Leah McFall And Bo Bruce Now? (PICS)
What Are These Former 'The Voice' Stars Doing Now?
Daniel Welsh— The Huffington Post UK
|
‘The Voice’ is officially back on our screens, and on BBC1 for the final time, so there's never been a better moment to sit down and look back at where the former stars of the show are now.
This year sees two new coaches join the team, as Paloma Faith and Boy George take their seats next to will.i.am and Ricky Wilson, but how have the hopefuls who impressed in previous years fared since?
One major criticism repeatedly thrown at ‘The Voice’ is that its contestants seem to vanish into thin air as soon as the show ends, never to be heard from again.
True, this is also often the case with ‘The X Factor’ - with only a handful of 'X Factor' stars ever truly managing to shake off the reality TV label and carve a name for themselves in the music industry - but it seems to be the consensus that those who pass through the BBC singing contest fade to anonymity almost immediately.
However, this isn’t the whole story at all. Admittedly the UK version of ‘The Voice’ is yet to deliver a One Direction, Little Mix or Leona Lewis (or, indeed, even a Joe McElderry or Alexandra Burke), but it wouldn’t be fair to completely write off everybody who’s sung in front of those famous spinning chairs.
Open Image Modal
Three stand-out contestants from 'The Voice'
Since leaving the competition, series two champion Andrea Begley has released a surprisingly well-received covers album, Bo Bruce has had a single in the UK top ten and current victor Jermain Jackman has been hard at work on his debut release.
Here’s what some of the other singers to pass through ‘The Voice’ have been up to recently...
'The Voice' UK: Where Are They Now?
Jermain Jackman(01 of12)
Open Image Modal
It wasn't until the third series of The X Factor that it found its first international star in winner Leona Lewis. With Jermain Jackman's much-anticipated debut album due for release in March, time will tell if he can be The Voice's first ever break-out star... (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
Leanne Mitchell(02 of12)
Open Image Modal
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)
Open Image Modal
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)
Open Image Modal
Despite having the most commercial success of any of the former 'Voice' stars, Bo hasn't exactly had an easy time since leaving the competition, quitting her record label after two singles due to a "lack of support" and eventually checking into rehab for exhaustion.She's since branded former coach Danny O'Donaghue a "wanker" after admitting that they shared a snog while she was still being mentored by him on the show.Bo collaborated with top DJ Chicane on a dance track last year. (credit:Rex/Jason Sheldon)
Vince Kidd(05 of12)
Open Image Modal
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)
Open Image Modal
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)
Open Image Modal
After performing with legends like Kylie Minogue and Justin Timberlake in the space of a year thanks to his appearance on 'The Voice', Jamie has now said he's determined to make a splash in America, insisting: "I just don’t want half the cake, I want the whole cake." (credit:Rex/Beretta/Sims)
Leah McFall(08 of12)
Open Image Modal
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)
Open Image Modal
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)
Open Image Modal
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)
Open Image Modal
Sally may not have been the winner of 'The Voice' last year, but she still managed to thrash eventual-champion Jermain Jackman in terms of single sales, charting 15 places higher than him the week after the show ended.Following her success on the show, Sally completed a UK tour at the tail-end of 2014. (credit:Alex Huckle via Getty Images)