Last Sunday, May 12, aspiring young singers took part in the second round of blind auditions in the popular singing competition "La Voz Kids," impressing coaches Paulina Rubio, Prince Royce and Roberto Tapia, hosts Daisy Fuentes and Jorge Bernal, and the viewers who have been following the contest Sundays on Telemundo at 7pm/6c. After setting a network record with the first episode, "La Voz Kids" averaged nearly 890,000 adults 18 to 49, +2% above premiere. The show continued to thrill audiences with personal stories of the young competitors, who overcame incredible obstacles to win an audition with the show's famous coaches.
In episode number two, contestants from California, New York Texas and Puerto Rico put their talent on display, with performances that moved some of the coaches to share stories about their own personal lives. After hearing Ezequiel Pujol, an 11-year old from a Dominican family in New York, sing "Stand By Me," a visibly moved Prince Royce told the audience the story of how he recorded the song. "After school I worked selling cellphones. When I recorded that song, I was still wearing the phone company uniform," Prince Royce recalled, noting that he identified completely with Ezequiel because as a child he shared the same dream of becoming a successful singer.
Stephanie Ferrer, 14, who suffers from problems with her eyesight and was a victim of bullying at school, described the competition as a chance to demonstrate her talent without being judged on her appearance. "I came to 'La Voz Kids' because I wanted to see how the coaches would react to me as an artist," Stephanie explained. "At school the other kids make fun of me and that makes me sad, but when I sing, I get rid of all of those feelings." "To me, you are pure gold, and I think you are going to go very far," Paulina Rubio replied after the girl chose her as her coach. "Paulina was the one who first inspired me to sing. I sang her songs when I was little," Stephanie gushed excitedly after being selected.
Twelve-year-old Hurielzu Larios also felt rejected by other kids for being dark skinned, a feeling that only strengthened her determination to succeed. "From then on, I refused to give up ever again," Hurielzu said, expressing pride in her Mexican origins. "To everyone who said I couldn't do anything with my life: Well, here I am."
Stephanie, Hiruelzu, and brothers Edgar and Bryan Chávez - who came together to the competition but only one brother, Edgar, passed the audition - are children with a dream that comes closer to coming true with each new episode. "La Voz Kids" is changing the lives of these children, their families and the celebrity coaches, who are able to offer a new generation the same opportunity each one of them was lucky enough to have.
On the second night of the competition, #TeamRubio added two contestants; #TeamRoyce, three; and #TeamTapia, five. The social networks were busy with postings about "La Voz Kids," with Royce fans remembering his birthday on May 11 and trending topic #HappyMothersDayRoyceMom. A lot of Twitter activity for the Chávez brothers, with viewers disappointed they wouldn't be competing in the battle rounds. Ezequiel Pujol was another favorite for his rendition of "Stand by Me," with fans saying he could easily be Prince Royce's little brother.
The innovative format used in "La Voz Kids" features three stages of competition: blind auditions, battle rounds and, finally, the live performance shows. During the blind auditions, the coaches' decisions are based solely on voice. The coaches have their backs to the participants; they hear them perform but cannot see them. If a coach is impressed by the participant's voice, he/she pushes a button to select the participant for his/her team. At this point, the coach's chair will swivel so that he/she can face the participant he/she has selected. If more than one coach pushes their button, the participant is allowed to choose which coach to work with. If no coach chooses them, the participant is eliminated from the competition.
Once the teams are set, the battle is on. Coaches will dedicate themselves to developing their team of participants, giving them advice and sharing the secrets of their success along with help from their celebrity advisers. During the battle rounds the coaches will pit three of their own team members against each other to sing the same song in front of a studio audience.
In the final performance phase of the competition, the top participants from each team will compete weekly against each other. The television audience and the coaches will decide who will stay in the competition. In the end, one will be named the winner of "La Voz Kids" and will receive a recording contract and a cash prize to support his/her education.
"La Voz Kids" is a presentation of Talpa Media
USA Inc. John de Mol created the show and serves as executive producer alongside Stijn Bakkers and Katrina Fernandez.
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