Rachel Stevens, one of the judges on the Irish version of the international TV franchise The Voice, doesn’t hesitate to be brutally honest or go with her instincts but still finds it much tougher than expected to eliminate contestants.
The 36-year-old singer, former member of pop group S Club 7, has to make extremely difficult decisions during the reality singing competition, Irish entertainment news website Goss.ie said.
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“Choosing between my own acts during the Battles was very tough but when you get to that part of the show you can see which contestants will do well, ” she said, “Because you get to see them in a bigger arena with an audience and you see which ones step up a bit more.
“It’s going to be harder when we get to the live shows but in a way I think it’s a good test for them because this is the business they want to be in and you do get so many knock-backs and you are putting yourself out there to be judged, ” Stevens said.
Meanwhile, she revealed that despite being one of the new judges, she’s received a warm welcome. “It’s such a great team. Everyone has welcomed me with open arms. Being with Una (Foden) is lovely as she’s another newbie. We’re in it together.”
She added: “I love the show. I was delighted when they asked me to do it. It’s brilliant as I’m usually sitting at home on the couch being a judge anyway, so I’m happy to be on this side of it.”
Stevens has been nicknamed “The Quiet Assassin” by the other coaches as she might be reserved, but when she strikes, it’s deadly, the Irish Mirror said.
She revealed: “I have always been someone who observes and takes it all in – and when I feel like I need to speak then I will when I’ve got something to say. I always said as a coach I’d come in and be really honest and have to really go with my instincts and something that really moved me to push my button.
“And I feel like I have been doing that the whole way through the show, ” she said.
“We all have pretty strong teams and I am very happy with mine – I have a good mix and there are some people I am really very excited about.”
But as someone who has been successful in the music business, Stevens knows just how hard it will be for the person who is crowned this year’s winner, the Mirror said.
“I think you are always learning and if I was to give any advice it would be to learn the business as much as you can and take everything in. Hone your craft – you have to be really passionate about it and then you will fight for it.”
Stevens grew up in a Jewish family in London and had a Jewish wedding in 2009. “Being Jewish for me isn’t so much about religion, it’s more about the family and tradition, ” she said in an interview with women’s magazine Marie Claire several years ago, “but I observe some of the holidays and I’ll go to the synagogue on special occasions”.
