‘The Voice’s’ 14-Year-Old Contestant Receives Fastest Chair Turn

A 14-year-old singer named Jade De Rijcke stunned the judges on ‘The Voice Kids Belgium,’ ultimately winning the 2018 championship.

Jade and her coach, Gers Pardoel, achieved remarkable success in this competition. 2018 was Pardoel’s first season as a coach, and he relied on Jade and his other vocalists to outshine more experienced trainers.

Many viewers may not know that 2018 wasn’t Jade’s first attempt on ‘The Voice Kids.’ She initially auditioned in 2017 but didn’t make it past the blind auditions due to nerves, and her performance didn’t even air on television.

Instead of being discouraged, Jade returned to her training and tried again, achieving success beyond her wildest dreams. Sometimes, failure serves as a catalyst for the hard work needed to succeed in any endeavor.

The ‘Road to’ videos document a contestant’s journey on the show, compiling all their performances. For her blind audition, Jade chose ‘Homesick’ by Dua Lipa, a slow, plaintive ballad about a woman longing to reunite with her lover despite obstacles and loneliness. Just as Jade steadily moved towards winning the competition, the song’s protagonist persists in her quest.

In the semi-final, Jade performed ‘Sober’ by Demi Lovato, a poignant song about Lovato’s struggles with alcohol and her fear of being unable to quit. Though singing a song doesn’t mean living it, this was a bold choice for someone as young as Jade, who delivered it with her usual calm and poise.

For her final performance, Jade sang ‘Grand Piano’ by Nicki Minaj, a song about a woman questioning her lover’s sincerity and reflecting on her own decisions. Despite the emotional weight of her song choices, Jade triumphed over her obstacles, winning a competition she once seemed unlikely to conquer.

Jade De Rijcke’s story is inspirational, showing how perseverance and hard work can lead to success. Watching her performances reveals what a true champion looks like.