The Voice winner Anthonia Edwards says she nearly forgot her words for Tom Jones duet
THE Voice winner Anthonia Edwards nearly blew her final performance with mentor Sir Tom Jones as she forgot her lines.
The nurse, who used to look after Covid patients, admitted she was so nervous duetting with the Welsh icon on a cover of James Brown’s It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World last night that she had a memory blank.
Fortunately she pulled it together — and now she is penning songs for her debut album.
Anthonia told me: “It’s incredibly surreal. I’m so proud of myself and the duet with Sir Tom was incredible.
“But there was a moment where I got stung as I nearly forgot my lines.
"I don’t think people noticed as I had styled it out, but it was a close call.”
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Anthonia could have had Will.i.am, Anne Marie or Olly Murs as her mentor but picked legend Tom.
She said: “I am a Christian and he really connected with me. I felt a spiritual element.
“He respected me and said he heard something and knew I had something special. There is a sparkle in his eye — he has a lovely glint.
“He told me I had nothing to worry and to be myself. His presence is calming — such an anchor. I hope we can stay in touch.”
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Tom said he would always be on the end of the phone if she needed, adding: “I am so proud to be crowning this year’s winner.
"Anthonia’s voice and talent rose above a very competitive field and speaks for itself, so I am by no means surprised she is our series 11 winner.
"When I first heard her at the blind auditions, I knew she had something really special.
“Having the opportunity to work with her this series has been nothing but joy from beginning to end.
“She deserves much respect for both her abilities and work ethic, so I’m excited for her future. If she ever needs advice, I’m here to help, if I can.”
London-based Anthonia wants to draw on her experiences working during the pandemic.
She said: “I absolutely felt the effects of Covid as a nurse. I was a student at the time, helping people in their houses who couldn’t access a hospital. It was an honour to serve.
“I did sing to my patients, but a few probably wanted me to stop.
"When you’re in people’s homes you want to make them feel comfortable and care for people in their vulnerable state.
“When I went into the career I had no idea what would be asked of me, but I found out I was capable of a lot more than I knew. It helped me mature. I saw a lot of patients who unfortunately succumbed to Covid and losing them was a lot to deal with.
“Death is such a big part of life, and we are rarely taught how to deal with it.
"I have been on that journey of trying to understand the meaning of life and how to move on with faith and courage. It’s hard.”
Anthonia’s single Anyone, a cover of Justin Bieber’s 2021 hit, is out now on EMI Records.
Fit Rita has a healthy Ora
RITA ORA doesn’t just work out to look good – she does it for confidence too.
And the singer wants exercise to be more inclusive.
She told me: “Exercise has been part of my life forever and it’s what gets me through my busy day. However you do it, is so important.
"Not only to keep your body healthy, but also your mind.
"It brings confidence and mental clarity as well as all the physical benefits.
“Exercise and fitness doesn’t just have to be about lifting weights.”
Rita just launched a sustainable activewear brand.
She said: “I have always been a fan of vintage clothes and have always repurposed and recycled items in my own wardrobe.
“Humans Being’s mission is to provide recyclable, high-quality garments that are durable and long-lasting so I can wear them every day as much as possible and share them with friends too.”
She’s a great advert for it.
JLo get comfy
NOW she’s happily married to her FOURTH hubby Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez prefers staying at home rather than donning her glad rags.
She said: “I love a good red carpet event once in a while, but I’m a homebody when I’m not working, that’s the truth.
“I can’t wait to take the drag off when I get home.
"One of my hairdressers always jokes, ‘I think you love getting out of it as much as you love getting into it.’
"I say, ‘You’re right I do.’ I love feeling amazing for a while and then going back to me.”
You’re always amazing JLo…
One fright in Paris
YOU can always rely on the celeb world to pull their fingers out over the Halloween weekend – and this year they certainly didn’t disappoint.
Model Roxy Horner nailed her Jessica Rabbit get-up at the Hallozeem soiree in London’s Park Row, where she was joined by her fella Jack Whitehall, and pals Keith Lemon and Ashley Roberts.
The Kiss FM Haunted House party was jam-packed with scary-looking stars, including singer Mabel as a sexy Cruella de Vil, Anne Marie done up a bloodied doll and Gemma Collins as a vampish leather-clad bunny.
Meanwhile, New Love Island host Maya Jama went for an unlikely granny costume at her annual East London bash – and still managed to look stunning.
Hollywood didn’t disappoint either, as Paris Hilton donned a skimpy superwoman suit in LA, while limelight-loving couple Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly became Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee for the night. Good effort, gang.
I decided to join in and dress up as a witch in case I ended up as a green-eyed monster.
Tom Walker skipping singing on big day
TOM WALKER is preparing for his nuptials, but he WON’T be serenading his future missus on their big day.
The singer proposed to health advisor Annie Watson-Foulds in Sri Lanka in 2019 and they will tie the knot in April.
He said: “I won’t sing at the wedding. In a dream world I’d book James Tayloe to play because Annie loves him.”
Tom, whose new single The Best Is Yet To Come is out now, added: “I’ve been asked to do a lot of weddings, but it feels wrong to charge loads of money to people on their big day.”
Tom, you’re too generous – I hear it’s big business . . .
Lacey's protege Bobby
EASTENDERS actor Bobby Brazier has revealed he’s bonded with co-star Lacey Turner on set of the BBC1 soap.
The son of late reality star Jade Goody, who plays Freddie Slater, has told how the experience actress, who has portrayed Stacey Slater for almost 20 years, has taking him under her wing.
He said: “I’m loving EastEnders.
“I’m learning a lot, and I’m given a lot of love. It’s great.
“My mentor on the show is Lacey. Lacey feels like home. I love her so much.
“I can’t explain it, but it’s just her. Everyone is proud of me.
“I’m just being me and bringing whatever I’ve got to EastEnders and this world. “
Model Bobby meditates backstage to help calm his nerves before scenes.
He said: “I meditate big time. It helps me feel present in scenes.
“I’ve never had acting lessons. I just play the character naturally.”
At least he’s Brazen about it . . .
Meg sings of mummy guilt
AFTER first interviewing US popstar Meghan Trainor six years ago I’ve always admired how warm and down-to-earth she is.
And now the young mum has cemented her humility by penning a track about mum guilt on her delicious new album Takin’ It Back.
The singer, who has two year old son Riley with hubby Daryl Sabara, opened up about feeling torn between motherhood and her career on track Superwoman.
She tells me: “Just three months after I gave birth I got offered a job hosting TV show Top Chef Family Style.
“I thought it was way too early to take that job on, but it was also my dream.
“I felt so much guilt for not being with my boy all day long and there was some really heartbreak.
“Kids say, ‘Dada’ first because it’s easier, but I was like, ‘Well, it’s because I’m not home’ It’s hard.
“You ask yourself, ‘Am I doing everything right? Is my baby happy?’ But then I have to remind myself that he is the happiest kid”
Meghan’s sparkly new track, Made You Look, has smashed streams on TikTok and sees Meghan nod towards the song that made her back in 2014, All About That Bass.
But in eight years she’s learned a lot, saying: “I feel like I’m Meghan 2.0, I’ve figured a lot out about my anxiety and panic attacks, I see my therapist every Wednesday and I talk about mental health with my fans.
“My husband is good with transcendental meditation and we workout every day - that’s great for our minds.
“Sleep is number one for us. As soon as we put baby him down at 7pm - we run to bed.”
Meghan credits her family for keeping her grounded amid her huge success, which has seen land number one albums on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as appear as a judge on The Voice UK and Australian Idol.
She said: “Coming from a huge family helps so much. I live with my two brothers in my house, my mum is my assistant and she comes over everyday.
“It’s definitely stopped fame from going to my head, they’re not ‘yes’ people. They’ll keep it real with me and be goofy with me.”
Meghan has teased a tour before having another baby adding: "I saw Harry Styles perform last week and it made me miss touring and I thought, ‘Oh man we should really knock out a tour real fast and then get super pregnant.’
"Maybe I should squeeze one in next year. I want to come to the UK as soon as possible.
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“My favourite place is that big ass mall - Harrods.”
Mine too Meg, let’s go together…