A north-east teenager is one step closer to her musical dream after seeing success on a television talent show.
Millions watched as Aiysha Russell from Drumoak impressed The Voice Kids coaches on Saturday night.
The 13-year-old sang What A Difference A Day Makes by Dinah Washington at her audition, with pop star Jessie J and McFly member Danny Jones both fighting to add the youngster to their teams and take her through to the next stage of the contest.
Aiysha enrolled in an Aberdeen hip hop school when she was five, and has been singing in its annual showcase events for the last four years.
The Banchory Academy pupil is also involved in teaching younger students how to dance and has been taking part in songwriting sessions where she works on her original music.
Desperate to mentor Aiysha in the next stage of the competition, Jessie J performed a rap and said: “I know how to sing and I’m only on this show to help other people and share my knowledge and experience and I’d love to do that with you.”
The pitch worked, as the 13-year-old agreed to join Team Jessie and progress to the competition’s head-to-head battle stages.
She told The Press and Journal: “I was super excited when I first took the stage and then when Jessie and Danny both turned I didn’t know what to do with myself.
“To have two such amazing judges pitch for me was just so exciting.
“I went with Jessie because I’d love to have a vocal range like her.
“She can reach the lowest of low and the highest of high and that’s what I want as a singer.
“It’s my dream to get into The Brit School in London or to travel the world performing and I hope this experience can help me do that.”
After the audition, Aiysha went backstage to celebrate with her family, including proud mum Michelle.
The accountant said it was “pure joy” getting to watch her daughter take to such a prestigious stage – both in person during filming and again on television at the weekend.
“I was so terrified for her, it was really nerve-wracking for all of us,” she said.
“But we were so excited and it was amazing to watch her on the big screen and relive the nerves and all the emotion of it.”
Miss Russell added: “Aiysha’s been singing since she was nine years old and it was a tremendous opportunity for her to even get a blind audition because thousands of people apply for it every year.
“We are all so, so proud of her.”
