Emmanuel Smith’s cover of Hallelujah got all four coaches spinning on The Voice UK 2019 this weekend.
The 29-year-old was born in Africa but now lives in London after moving to the UK with his mum as a child.
In this week’s show, Emmanuel revealed he was a Part Time Motivational Speaker.
Joking that he “loves to talk”, Emmanuel said: “No dream is above you so long as you believe in yourself.”
He then headed out on stage to face the backs of coaches Will.i.am, Sir Tom Jones, Olly Murs and Jennifer Hudson.
Emmanuel performed a cover of Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen and it got all four coaches to hit their buzzers.
In one of his trademark bizarre analogies, Will.i.am compared Emmanuel to antihistamine: “I use the metaphor of not being able to smell the roses because I’m clogged. What you are for me is antihistamine, you open up my nasal passages and I can smell now. Hallelujah!”
Sir Tom Jones commented: “You have a big beautiful voice. I had to press my buzzer to show respect to you because you’re a wonderful singer.”
Jennifer Hudson said: “That is my absolute favourite song. It was so beautiful, you sang the clouds out of heaven with that song.”
Olly added: You could just tell how much this means to you. You sang that with every part of your body, the whole room just came alive with those last notes.
It was Will.i.am who Emmanuel went with, joining his team in the battle rounds.
“I can’t believe it, honestly,” Emmanuel concluded after his audition.
You can watch Emmanuel’s blind audition on The Voice UK above.
Other acts on The Voice UK auditions this week included Cedric Neal, who got all four coaches to turn with his soulful singing, and Grace Latchford who performed an original song.
There was also 16-year-old student Bukky Oronti and Dean Mac, who got the coaches hot under the collar as he sang Pony by Ginuwine.
The Voice UK 2019 auditions continue Saturday nights at 8PM on ITV.
More on: The Voice UK
