Aaren James, a contestant on ITV's The Voice, has revealed how the new series helped him escape a "lonely place" following his nan's breast cancer diagnosis. The 25-year-old from Warrington appeared on the show on Saturday (September 5) and spoke about his nan Kim's recent diagnosis. Kim joined him on stage in an emotional moment as he chose between Team Kelly and Team Tom.
Support from family and fans
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News after the episode aired, the former ambulance care assistant, who now hopes to pursue music full-time, said he has been overwhelmed by the support he and his family have received. He explained that his nan had been a major force in pushing him to apply for the show, and he was thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase her as she continues her battle with cancer.
"We sat on her bed and we did the application together," Aaren told the Manchester Evening News. "The whole journey has just been me and her. I can safely say I'm glad I did [apply]. The amount of love and support I have had after the show, and the articles I have been reading, it's amazing that people can share my journey with me because I feel like sometimes when you're going through a hard time with family, it can be quite a lonely place."
"The fact that everyone gets to see how amazing nan is and how amazing our relationship is. It's that what has meant more to me."
Facing personal challenges
Aaren also shared how the experience has brought challenges for himself. "I've always struggled with my body image and struggled with a lot of confidence," he said. "I've always done performing but being placed in front of 18 million people who are going to watch the show, it's nerve-wracking. I'm the type of person who does think about the hate comments as well so I have had to disassociate from it. I always say with good comes bad and you're not going to please everybody."
He continued: "I can safely say it's the biggest thing I have ever done and it is probably the biggest thing I'm ever going to do. It is the start of something new for me. I really want to do music full time and I want to be able to not have to worry that nan isn't financially well off. I want to be able to look after them as much as possible. When we thought we were going to lose her, I feel like I don't want to buy anything for myself anymore. It is one of those instincts now. I feel like I've got the same instinct for nan as I have for my mum. That urge and desire to look after your family. I want to do what I love to provide for everyone I care about."
Choosing Team Kelly
After performing at the blind auditions, Aaren will now go on to the battles stage of The Voice. Saturday night's episode saw him pick Team Kelly after also receiving an offer to join Sir Tom Jones' team.
"When it came between Kelly and Tom, everything I'd said beforehand went completely out the window. There's nothing that prepares you to make that decision. I wanted something that was very different to my usual style of music as I usually do acoustic covers or sort of indie pop. Kelly has got a background in many different genres of music and I thought she would be the perfect coach to push me out of my comfort zone and really, really coach me to deliver."
On the upcoming shows, Aaren added: "It's going to be good, that's what I can say. It's going to be bigger and better."
