The Voice: Sheffield star Leona Jorgensen opens up on journey from busking on The Moor to hit ITV show

Sheffield busker Leona Jorgensen faces the biggest weekend of her life, with a public vote set to decide whether she makes it through to the finals of The Voice.
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But the 26-year-old, who was already a familiar face to many Sheffielders after years spent performing to shoppers on The Moor, sounds remarkably relaxed when we catch up with her ahead of the crunch vote.

Leona, who lives in Norfolk Park, talked about taking up busking after initially struggling to find her calling, revealed how it compares to performing in front of a live audience and discussed her musical inspirations.

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Having been chosen by Anne-Marie in Saturday’s first semi-final, she now needs your vote to help her make it through to the finals, and she says getting that public vote of confidence would mean even more than impressing the show’s famous coaches.

Leona Jorgensen performing in the semi-finals of The Voice (pic: Rachel Joseph/ITV Studios)Leona Jorgensen performing in the semi-finals of The Voice (pic: Rachel Joseph/ITV Studios)
Leona Jorgensen performing in the semi-finals of The Voice (pic: Rachel Joseph/ITV Studios)

“At the end of the day, it’s all about the public liking you when you’re an artist, so fingers crossed,” she said.

"I just take it step by step and try to enjoy it because if you think that way then when you do get through it’s even more of a surprise, whereas otherwise you might be disappointed.

"I think I’ve got really good support from Sheffield and a lot of people have messaged to say they’re definitely going to vote for me, which is really appreciated.”

Leona Jorgensen is depending on the outcome of a public vote to make it through to the finals of The Voice (pic: Rachel Joseph/ITV Studios)Leona Jorgensen is depending on the outcome of a public vote to make it through to the finals of The Voice (pic: Rachel Joseph/ITV Studios)
Leona Jorgensen is depending on the outcome of a public vote to make it through to the finals of The Voice (pic: Rachel Joseph/ITV Studios)
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Leona told how she started busking six years ago as part of a duo with her friend JC Clack before going solo.

After leaving All Saints Catholic High School in Sheffield, she had been unsure what she wanted to do with her life.

She studied sports at Norton College and then public services but neither felt right for her so she took up busking, mostly in Sheffield on The Moor but also further afield like Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham, and she has made enough to support herself ever since.

Anne-Marie picked Leona Jorgensen to go through to the public vote in The Voice semi-finals (pic: ITV Studios/Rachel Joseph)Anne-Marie picked Leona Jorgensen to go through to the public vote in The Voice semi-finals (pic: ITV Studios/Rachel Joseph)
Anne-Marie picked Leona Jorgensen to go through to the public vote in The Voice semi-finals (pic: ITV Studios/Rachel Joseph)

“JC suggested we try busking and it just went from there. I ended up doing a bit of solo stuff to find my own sound,” said Leona.

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"I love busking so much and people are really lovely. It’s just nice that they take the time out of their day to stand and listen, chuck a bit of money my way or have a conversation with me.

"Being on TV’s a bit more intense. I enjoy being on stage and singing for four superstars but there’s a bit more pressure.

"I’ve performed in pubs but I’ve never been on a stage like that before so it’s really built my confidence. It’s a bit surreal but I feel blessed to have the opportunity.”

Leona mostly performs covers when busking but she enjoys writing her own music and is recording her first album of original songs, on which she has collaborated with her friend Ryan Fletcher, the bassist from pop group Lawson.

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“It’s kind of pop but with edge and the lyrics of the songs have meaning. Hopefully there’s something in there which everyone can relate to,” she said.

"It will be nice to get my own stuff out there and I’m hoping to do a mini tour when we’re allowed.

"But I love busking and that’s where it all started so I’m eager to get back out on the streets and catch a vibe.”

Leona describes her musical inspirations as ‘mostly old school 90s R&B’, like Boyz II Men and Alicia Keys, but says she is a ‘massive fan’ of Justin Bieber, whose hit Holy, featuring Chance The Rapper, she performed on Saturday’s show.

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She has enjoyed her time on The Voice but says it has felt strange without a live audience present due to the pandemic.

"Everyone’s so lovely. They’re all genuinely nice people, as well as being incredibly talented, which has made it an amazing experience. It’s just a shame we have to social distance,” she said.

"It is strange singing without an audience there because normally when you perform you catch a vibe from the audience.

"There are screens with people’s faces on behind the coaches but it’s not quite the same.

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"A live audience would have been nice but it’s still sick to sing in front of the four coaches.”

Leona describes busking as both a hobby and a way to make a living, which she loves despite sometimes having to rise at the crack of dawn to secure the best spot, but her other hobbies include basketball and rollerblading.

She has missed busking during lockdown but says it has given her the time to pursue her musical ambitions in other ways.

"It’s been a bit of a weird one. During the first lockdown I just did a lot of writing and ended up with a whole EP of songs,” she said.

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"Since then, The Voice has kept me focused. I’ve tried to make the best of a rubbish situation and I just got lucky.”

At the end of the second semi-final this weekend, each coach will have two acts remaining and the public will be asked to vote for their favourite act for each coach, with each coach taking one act through to the live final on Saturday, March 20.

Ahead of that make-or-break vote, Leona said: “If you’re feeling my vibe I would appreciate your vote. I’ve come so far and it would be a shame to leave at this point.”

You can watch The Voice UK this Saturday, March 13, at 8.30pm on ITV.

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