A teen from Norwich has wowed the judges of The Voice Kids UK and is moving on to the next stage of the TV talent show with her outstanding vocals.
As well as giving a jaw-dropping performance, Darcie Mann, from Rackheath, shared with viewers her trans journey.
The 15-year-old was born male but has wanted to live as a female from an early age.
On the main stage, the Broadland High Ormiston Academy pupil explained to the coaches how much of an "escape" music and singing is for her.
From school productions, to performing with Rackheath Youth Theatre and Norwich’s Greasepaint Performance Academy, the teenage star has loved singing for as long as she can remember.
“I’ve wanted to perform on The Voice for so long, since it first came on television, but I never pushed myself to do it," she said.
“I was always so nervous but thanks to lots of support from my friends, family, and people I perform with, I finally got the courage to give it a go.”
Darcie delivered a powerful rendition of Lewis Capaldi’s Bruises to the ITV show's judges Pixie Lott, Danny Jones, Ronan Keating and will.i.am.
At this stage of the competition, the judges watch a batch of singers perform in a ‘blind’ audition.
Will was so impressed that he turned his seat for her – meaning she will go through to the next round – while Danny praised her "bravery".
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She added: “As a young trans person, I just wanted to come on here and show people that I can do it and I can achieve my dreams.
“But the trans side of me is just a part of me and I certainly don’t see it as the whole of me.
“It was nerve-wracking performing on the show, and when I was finally up on the stage it was surreal but amazing. I lost my head a little bit when Will turned his seat around.”
Before her performance, the teenager was introduced to viewers with an interview with parents Alison Stewart, 53, and Kevin Mann, 48, who said they “couldn’t have been prouder” of their daughter.
Darcie has an also older brother, Alfie, 18.
Alison said that Darcie Alison "hasn’t had an easy ride".
"She learnt at a very early age to be strong. Darcie has had a lot of challenges with her gender," she said.
"Darcie was born male and at a very early age, it was obvious that she wanted to live as a female and she’s shown complete grit and determination that she was going to do so."
Her mother continued: "With what she’s been through, that she’s so confident in herself, that has proved to us that everything has been the right thing to do. As a parent, we have her back."
- The Voice Kids returns tonight at 8pm on ITV1 tonight (Wednesday, December 28).
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