A SINGER from Pontypool has got through to the battle stages of The Voice UK 2020 with her band.
Emily JP Young, 35, founded harmony trio Belle Noir in 2016 and on Saturday, January 18’s showing of the programme, the trio wowed the judges with their rendition of Portugal The Man’s Feel It Still.
Judges Tom Jones and Olly Murs both turned around for the group, giving them the agonising decision of who to choose.
“It was such a hard decision, but we went for Olly,” said Ms Young. “It was very nerve-wracking performing as it was and then to have to choose between them was so hard.
“Although Tom Jones is a legend, we wanted to step away from the traditional harmony trio sound and Olly seemed to get that.
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“He seemed very excited about us and we think that he can bring something different.
“We’re really excited to work with Olly, he’s lovely and we can’t wait to explore the more poppy side of things.”
Belle Noir came into existence after Ms Young missed singing.
She explained how she had trained in performance and was working as an actor and despite the fact that she was able to visit America with her work, she missed the singing element and wanted to get back into it.
She held auditions and found Sarah Goodwin, 31 from Cork and Jasmine Gur, 29 from St Albans.
(Emily JP Young founded harmony trio Belle Noir in 2016. Picture: Emily JP Young)
The trio soon became like sisters and their bond is helping them to get through the stresses of living as full-time musicians.
The trio perform full-time and have excited crowds all across the world.
Ms Young attributes growing up in Pontypool with setting her up on the path to success.
She said: “I went to a dance school in Griffithstown and I feel lucky to have had the opportunities that I did while growing up and feel like they have paved the way for me to have a career in entertainment.”
The Voice UK have been keeping tabs on the trio. Ms Young said: “We’ve been approached a few times over the past few years to go on The Voice but we were apprehensive as it is a lot to put out there when you’re already performing as a job.
“But we decided to go for it as it is a good opportunity and we thought it was time to take it up.”
The Voice UK is on ITV1 on Saturdays at 8pm.
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