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The Voice SA is back with 3 new coaches and dramatic twists

Cape Town – After a year hiatus The Voice SA returns for a third season on Sunday, 3 February at 17:30 on M-Net (DStv 101).

This season has a new host, new coaches, and a lot of dramatic twists and turns that will keep viewers glued to their television screens.

Safta award-winner and self-confessed super-fan Anele Mdoda replaces Lunga Radu as host and joining Afro-Soul singer, Lira in the red chairs are: Rapper Riky Rick, rocker Francois van Coke and popstar Riana Nel.

At a recent M-Net showcase held in Gold Reef City in Johannesburg the press were treated to a special screening of the first episode and a Q&A panel with Anele, the coaches, and producer Darren Hayward.

WHAT’S NEW

The first change viewers will see this season is during the Blind Audition round of the competition.

Previously, talent who did not get a turn would still receive feedback from the coaches once they finished singing. This season if the coaches don’t turn at all they won’t get to meet the talent or offer feedback.

Speaking about the change Hayward says that extensive research was done on how it affected the talent.

"The talent didn't hear any of the feedback the coaches gave. It prolonged the agony of not getting a turn. In the end the talent felt better when they didn't have to face the coaches after an audition that didn’t go their way."

One of the other new tweaks to the format is that the Knockout Round will take place before the Battles which Darren says creates a dramatic build-up to the Live shows.

This season viewers will also see a lot more of the families as the family room has moved into the studio which makes for a beautiful connection between the talent and their supporters.

For Anele becoming one of the family members is one of her highlights.

"There are times when I want to walk off with the family and then I realise that I am actually still working," she jokes.

The Voice SA coaches.

WHAT CAN VIEWERS EXPECT

The thing Darren is most excited for viewers to see is the amazing talent.

"The talent is incredible. We had some of the license holders sitting in the studio and they said that this is some of the best talent they have seen in the world, it’s very exciting!"

Francois adds that viewers should look out for him trying to beat Riky, while Riana can’t wait for viewers to see the incredible transformation the talents go through.

For Riky this has been an emotional journey so far.

“I decided to be part of this because I also wanted to show a different side of me. On the shoot I was trying to hold back and keep up the walls but those walls were broken down quickly. How real it becomes was a big surprise and I hope people understand the magnitude of what we are doing,” he explains.

Lira, who is the only returning coach, says that it is really exciting working with the newbies.

“Everyone brought the fire. Initially I thought that I would have to show the ropes because I have done it longer and that I would have to help everyone. I didn’t have to do a thing everyone was strong. There was great competition, great confidence and great content.”

Catch the premiere of The Voice SA on Sunday, 3 February at 17:30 on M-Net (DStv 101) or the rebroadcast on Mondays at 20:00 on VUZU (DStv  116).

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