Jermain Jackman rocked viewers with his incredible singing voice when he took part in The Voice back in 2014, winning the talent show with the help of his mentor Will.i.am aged just 19. Now that the popular singing show is back for a new series, HELLO! Online caught up with Jermain about what he has been up to since the show, and what advice he would give to this years' contestants.
Although still very much working on his music, the talented singer has had a keen interest in politics for years and is currently studying the subject at Leeds. He told us: "I'm working on a second album at the moment.... I'm focusing on my music and my education. For me, winning The Voice was a great achievement, I didn't expect it, but university and education always come first." The star revealed his desire to be prime minister back in 2014, a role he would still be more than happy to take on three years later! He said: "I told [The Voice producers] I want to make effective change in my community and my country and if that position is Prime Minister then so be it!"
Jermain spoke about his time on The Voice
Jermain has previously spoken about stepping back from music, telling Tellymix that he "saw some things [he] didn't like" about the industry. Explaining about working in show business, the 22-year-old told HELLO! Online: "It's not necessarily that I was disheartened... But there were elements of it that I wasn't expecting. Everyone sees the fast cars, the women, the party life, the money and fame and things but that's all external factors. I'm going in it with the love of music and I don't want anything attached to that."
The student spoke fondly of mentor Will.i.am, explaining: "[Will] was amazing. Absolutely amazing. There were parts where he'd be like, 'stop filming stop the cameras' and he'd actually talked to me which showed he not there for TV he's not there for a programme, he actually cares about the artistry and the artists… If I went on again I'd choose him again but obviously I've had my time!" However, he admitted that the show could be a lot of pressure, particularly during the first audition and the battle week. "I didn't know what to expect," he said. "You know if you don't have your family or friends you have to be emotionally and mentally strong to take part in that but I've heard that in the new season of The Voice if no one turn around you just leave and I don't like that... yeah it was a rollercoaster of a ride."
Jermain is currently studying politics at university
And so what advice does The Voice winner have for this series' contestants? He said: "Every time I [hear from contestants] I say the same thing to all of them, 'You're a singer on a TV show. That's all it is. Don't think it's going to be the beginning of something great, you're a singer on a TV show. The TV show is there to get views. It’s a prime time entertainment show. They didn't get me at first... I'm not speaking from experience but from what other people have told me certain shows are worse than others. Thankfully The Voice was one of the best in terms of treating their artists and participants with care."
