The winner of The Voice Kids UK series six in December 2022 was Israella Chris, a 13-year-old vocal powerhouse from Team Pixie. Hosted by Emma Willis on ITV, the compressed three-night festive run culminated in Israella lifting the trophy after outperforming the other three grand finalists with a deeply emotional rendition of the hymn "How Great Thou Art". Her victory also cemented coach Pixie Lott's legacy as the most successful coach in the show's history.
Understanding how Israella secured the crown requires looking at her distinct journey through the competition, the structure of the 2022 series, and the strong lineup of coaches and fellow finalists she faced.
The Road to the Crown: Auditions and Battles
Series six of the UK edition brought back a fierce lineup of coaches featuring returning favorites will.i.am, Pixie Lott, and Danny Jones alongside newcomer Ronan Keating. Sixteen artists made it past the blind auditions to face the intense battles stage.
Israella first caught the public and coaching panel's attention during her blind audition. She performed a soulful rendition of Ray Charles' classic "Georgia On My Mind", prompting three coaches to turn their chairs. Selecting Pixie Lott as her mentor set the stage for a winning partnership. Further coverage regarding this has been provided by BBC.
During the battle rounds, Israella shared the stage with fellow teammates Tommy Featherstone, Lacey Leadbetter, and Eva Norton. Together, they performed a harmonious version of Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time". Pixie Lott chose Israella to advance to the grand final, where the young singer would face off against the best remaining talent from the other teams.
The Grand Final Showdown
The grand final aired on December 28, 2022, narrowing the competition down to four final acts representing each coach:
- Todd Dachtler (Team Danny), who performed "In My Blood" and finished in fourth place.
- Sebastian Foreign (Team Ronan), who performed "Rainbow Connection" and secured third place.
- Tawana McGrath (Team will.i.am), who delivered a powerhouse performance of "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" to claim runner-up.
- Israella Chris (Team Pixie), whose soaring performance of "How Great Thou Art" won over the studio and virtual voting audience.
As the votes were tallied, host Emma Willis announced Israella as the series champion. The win triggered widespread celebration on social media, with viewers praising her mature vocal control and emotional depth.
Pixie Lott's Record-Breaking Coaching Milestone
Israella's victory marked a major milestone for coach Pixie Lott. This win earned Pixie her fourth victory across the UK run of the franchise, making her the most decorated coach in the show's history. Her prior wins included talented youngsters from earlier seasons like Jess, Daniel, and Justine. Pixie praised Israella immediately after the win, describing her as a truly unique talent with a raw, natural gift.
Behind the Scenes of Series Six
The 2022 season was unique for several reasons. Due to scheduling adjustments by ITV, the entire series was condensed into a three-episode special broadcast over consecutive nights between Christmas and New Year. Despite the truncated format, the series pulled in strong ratings, averaging around 3.91 million viewers and proving that youth singing competitions retained a dedicated audience.
For more details on the history of the program and its format, you can check the overview on Wikipedia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the coaches for The Voice Kids UK 2022?
The coaching panel featured will.i.am, Pixie Lott, Danny Jones, and newcomer Ronan Keating, who replaced Melanie C from the previous series.
What song did Israella Chris sing to win the final?
Israella performed a moving gospel-inspired version of the classic hymn "How Great Thou Art" during the grand final.
How old was Israella Chris when she won?
Israella was 13 years old during her time on the show, competing within the standard age bracket of 7 to 14 years old established for the UK series.
Did Israella Chris have a musical background?
Yes, musical talent runs in the family; Israella is the daughter of UK-based singer, songwriter, and producer Myco Chris.
