Pixie Lott has defended ‘The Voice Kids’, despite claims it puts young children under too much pressure.
The 26-year-old singer is set to appear as a judge on the children’s version of the ITV talent competition, and although the show has received criticism for putting children as young as seven through a heart-breaking rejection if they don’t impress the judging panel, Pixie believes their youth makes the rejection easier to deal with.
She said: "They are all so talented but obviously you can’t put them all through. The kids that didn’t go through to the next round are so fearless and so excited just to be there, and we get to speak to them afterwards. They’re still so excited about their futures and what they can do because they are so young. It’s not like it’s their last chance."
The ‘Mama Do’ hitmaker – who will join veteran judge will.i.am and McFly’s Danny Jones in the judges chairs – admits she does empathise with the young children as she too started auditioning at a young age, but says the "knock-backs" come with the job and should be expected.
She added during an appearance on ‘Good Morning Britain’: "It’s amazing to have those experiences when you’re so young. Now I’m a bit older it’s like water off a duck’s back. If I experienced it now for the first time at 26 it would be a lot harder."
"I do have loads of empathy for the kids because I’ve gone through doing those auditions at the same age, but I’m still doing it now. There’s no way you can have a career in this profession without those knock-backs."
Meanwhile, Emma Willis, who fronts the main series ‘The Voice UK’, will continue her job as host of the children’s version, which is set to air in June this year.
Pixie Lott: The Voice Kids teaches the value of rejection
