A 13-YEAR-OLD singer who has made it through to the final of Channel Nine's The Voice Kids says "never in a million years" did she believe she would make it this far.
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Grace, who grew up in Sutton Grange and has relatives living in Bendigo, will join the other finalists, Ruhi, Alexa, Maddison, Bella and Chris at the final on Sunday August 10.
Each contestant will perform one song before each coach selects a singer to face public vote. The winner will be rewarded with a $50,000 music scholarship.
Grace said she tried out for the show with no expectations and was surprised when she made it through the blind auditions.
She said she had made some lifelong friends during her experience on the show and her friendship with mentor Delta Goodrem was one she would cherish.
"Everything has been amazing. I have had the best time," she said.
"I love being able to stand up on the stage and perform in front of an audience and letting them hear my voice.
"Delta has been amazing. She is such an amazing singer and person. I think because she is Australian and is really passionate at what she does - it inspires me so much.
I love being able to stand up on the stage and perform in front of an audience and letting them hear my voice.
- Grace
"She has been through a lot of tough times and to know that she had gotten through them and where she is today is very encouraging.
"I don't want my time on the show to come to a end."
Grace started formal singing lessons about three years ago and said she has decided she wants to pursue a career as a singer.
Mother Rachael said Grace had always been a good singer.
"I noticed from when Grace was a really small child, when she was two or three, that she had a good singing voice," Rachael said.
She said Grace was often asked to sing solos and perform in school productions.
In grade one at primary school, Rachael said she realised Grace's potential when she was chosen from among much older students to sing a solo.
Last year at a school musical, friends came to Rachael telling her to let Grace audition for The Voice Kids.
The family were amazed to see Grace make it through to the blind auditions from an initial pool of 8000 children.
Channel Nine has asked that last names of child and parents be withheld for privacy reasons.
The show will air at 7.40pm.