After making it through the battle round of BBC’s The Voice, Hackney singer Jermain Jackman revealed how nervous he feels for the next stage in an exclusive interview with The Hackney Post.
The young singing sensation and politician spoke of how emotions are running high backstage as he prepares for this Sunday’s showdown.
Jermain said: “I’m so nervous about the knockouts, I get along with everyone and respect everyone on the show. I don’t want any of them to go!”
He also spoke of the tension and nerves he felt during the blind auditions and the emotion that followed when Will.i.am turned around to see him.
“I was focusing so hard on just singing and getting on the stage, it was so emotional. I’d actually bumped into Will.i.am before when I was doing backing vocals for Leona Lewis – his dressing room was across from hers – and one of my friends came up and said ‘he’s such an amazing singer.’
“I was cringing but Will told me I should audition. And it’s amazing how things turn out, because the next thing I knew I was auditioning for The Voice. It was so weird.”
The singing politician
Despite the pressure of performing to a national audience, Jermain has also found time to continue his work in politics. He co-ordinates the Hackney Labour party’s youth group, and recently joined forces with Channel 4 producers to launch an anti-smoking film competition for young people at a special Hollywood themed reception.
Jermain said: “I don’t know how I find so much time to do everything but I’ve just learned how to juggle different things all at once. I don’t like to stay at home too much.”
He also revealed that he has been offered a place at Berklee College of Music in Boston, and is currently looking at how to fund his studies.
The 18-year-old singer made his first appearance on The Voice during the blind auditions in January and brought a smile to judge Kylie Minogue’s face. However it was singer-songwriter and producer Will.i.am who took Jermain under his wing after being impressed by his rendition of And I Am Telling You.
He said: “I’ve learned so much from Will.i.am and the other contestants. We all come for different walks of life and I’m just glad and humbled by the support. It’s crazy, there are people from Germany, Russia, Iceland, my family in America… it’s amazing to have that network of support.”
Jermain’s campaign as the ‘singing prime minister’ has already begun, he calls it the “campaign to inspire”. Jermain has previously said that he wants to be the first black prime minister in Britain, while Sir Tom Jones has dubbed him “the singing politician”.
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Inspiration to old school
His former school, Islington Arts and Music School, has television screens set up around the campus featuring Jermain as motivation for its current pupils. School spokesperson Ashley Grey said that they are “absolutely delighted” at Jermain’s success on The Voice.
She added: “The most important thing is that Jermain is using his gift to make a difference. He is an ambassador at this school, and always says that this is where he learned how to be a good citizen.
“He will most certainly go on to do great things. I think he could be the first singing prime minister!”
Jermain competed against ‘singing cat lady’ Sarah Eden-Winn in the battle rounds. The pair took on classic hit I Knew You Were Waiting as their battle tune, with both contestants performing so well that the celebrity judges had a hard time making a decision about who to put through.
Kylie Minogue told Jermain that the depth and soul of his voice was “undeniable”, while Kaiser Chiefs singer Ricky Wilson said: “Female vocals hit me emotionally more than male vocals but Jermain got me there.”
Jermain concluded: “It’s about encouraging young people to believe they can achieve anything. I’ve had young people come up to me and say that I inspire them and that’s what matters. Of course I want to sell records and travel the world but it’s inspiring people that matters the most.”
This is for all of yous who do want to see win the voice 2014 my team is will I am
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