This year, The Voice has reignited a long-standing debate about the age of contestants.
After the semi-final, now 13-year-old artist Leyla Sabo just missed out on a spot in the Grand Finale, sparking a mixed response from fans online.
While many were disappointed that Ronan Keating selected boy band The 60Four to progress over Leyla, other viewers pointed out that Leyla’s age (she was 12 at the time of filming) was too young for the music industry, and that Ronan did her a favour by not progressing her to the finale.
However, days after The Voice semi-final aired, Leyla has announced an Australian tour, not delaying her music career in the slightest.
“I feel like The Voice was a beginning rather than an ending,” Leyla told WHO.
Despite many fans expressing their support for the young superstar’s career, others had concerns that couldn’t be ignored.
Leyla announces headline shows
Leyla has announced that she’s going on tour, performing in Sydney and Melbourne.
Speaking to WHO after the semi-final, Leyla teased these live shows, revealing that she has “so much music [she] wants to release and over 40 original songs that [she] wants to get into the studio and bring to life”.
“Songwriting is such a huge part of who I am as an artist, so I’m really excited about writing and releasing more new music and letting people hear a different side of me,” she said. “I’m also going to be doing live shows around Australia very soon, which I’m really excited about.
“There are some announcements coming that I can’t talk about just yet, but I can’t wait to get back on stage and perform for my people.”
Leyla added: “There’s so much happening and I feel like The Voice has opened a whole new chapter for me. I’m only 13, and I honestly feel like this is just the beginning.”
The Voice fans have had a mixed response about Leyla’s music career
While many fans have sent their congratulations to the 13-year-old online, encouraging her and saying she “will go far”, lots of Aussies have pointed out the concerns that were raised when Ronan first made his decision not to progress her to the Grand Finale.
“I say to her parents, be careful,” one user wrote online under this announcement. “This happened to my daughter. She got to 16 and told me in no uncertain terms to jam it. Finished. Also her voice has not matured yet. Dollars call obviously.”
“So can I say without malice, what about her childhood?” another replied. “What happens in five years when she’s all burnt out from the pressure of the music world?”
“She’s got a great voice, but she’s a child first. I think due to her looking older than she is, people will start treating her like an adult. I just hope she gets to enjoy her childhood and not be used as a money spinner. Look what happened to Hayden Panettiere and so many other young stars. She has the rest of her life to make it in the music world, but good luck to her. I wish her all the best.”
However, Leyla described her time on The Voice Australia as her “warm-up” for her big career goals. With so many fans, both concerned and excited for her, the question remains whether she will breakthrough into the industry.
Time will tell!
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