US artist will.i.am has hailed contestant Lydia Lucy as “the full package” as The Voice intensifies its search for a new pop star in tonight's second round of knockouts. Tonight's show will see will.i.am and Boy George sending unsuccessful acts home.
Essex-born Lydia previously attempted to find music stardom on Simon Cowell’s The X Factor. The 22-year-old took part in the 2013 series when the ITV hit premiered Bootcamp elimination process the six-chair challenge.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIQ8US2qaYo
Lydia was one of the first victims of the twist on musical chairs – she lost her seat and missed out on a place in the Judges’ Houses round.
But The Voice coach will.i.am has backed her to go far in the competition. “Lydia not only sings good, I believe Lydia’s the full package,” he said on the BBC show. “She’s a powerhouse.” She will face stiff competition in tonight's show, however, when she comes up against Bath-born Eli Cripps and Harry Styles lookalike Tom Rickels among others.
Lydia could not contain her feelings after progressing from The Voice’s battles rounds. “When Will said my name, I couldn’t believe it. I was absolutely over the moon,” she said. “I couldn’t wait to thank him for believing in me.”
On The X Factor, judges Gary Barlow, Nicole Scherzinger, Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne had complimented Lydia on the way she switched easily between singing and rapping.
Culture Club frontman Boy George, who is also cutting his team from eight to three tonight, said he was “almost hyperventilating with excitement” about his first ever knockouts. “I still don’t know really what I’m going to do or who I’m going to choose,” the 54-year-old stated.
Hoping to wow Boy George will be bouncer Alaric Green and 24-year-old Vangelis from London.
Catch The Voice tonight on BBC1 at 7.45pm
