University News Last updated 27 February 2017
Birmingham City University students Zoe Hedge and Ebony Wilson, otherwise known as Capital B, have made it through to the next stage of ITV’s The Voice UK.
The two Applied Performance students fought off fellow Brummie Ryhann Thomas in last weekend’s battle round where they performed their rendition of ‘I Wanna Be the Only One’ by Eternal.
The duo, who met on their first day as students at Birmingham School of Acting, part of Birmingham City University, are now through to the knock-out stages of the competition. They will compete in next weekend’s live shows where it will be down to the public vote as to which acts are taken through to the next round of the competition.
Speaking after getting through the initial blind audition round Ebony Wilson said: “We are so excited to be part of The Voice UK this year, especially with its incredible line-up of coaches and new home at ITV.
“The experience so far has been extraordinary. It has allowed us to develop our voices and work with the very best in the professional music industry.”
Ebony Wilson hails from Smethwick in Sandwell and has been passionate about singing from an early age when she was part of the Birmingham-based World Music Youth Choir. She was also part of the Handsworth female acapella group, Black Voices, and was once a backing vocalist for a Tom Jones tribute act.
Zoe Hedge comes from Bishop's Castle, a small market town in South Shropshire. She comes from a musical family and has loved singing since her first solo as Mary in her school Nativity play, aged five. Outside her University experience, Zoe has also been part of vocal groups, theatre companies and taken part in various amateur performances.
Zoe said:
Capital B will take on the remaining acts in mentor Tom Jones’ team next Sunday. They must perform not only for the coaches but also for viewers at home who will have the final say on which acts should progress to the next stage of the competition.
Zoe added: "We're so excited to be performing again on Sunday and would love it if everyone at Birmingham City University and across the West Midlands got behind us in the public vote. As well as voting for us by phone and text, you can also get one free vote for The Voice UK app."