WATCH: Local singing sensation dominates The Voice SA stage
The battle rounds of The Voice SA start on April 2
HIGHLY talented local singer Jacqueline Tolken (31) took the stage and judges by storm at her blind audition for The Voice South Africa’s second season that aired on February 12.
Not only did judge Lira, whom she chose as her coach, turn her chair around in the first few seconds of Tolken’s performance but fellow judges Karen Zoid, Kahn Morbee and Bobby van Jaarsveld were quick to follow.
“My eldest sister Adele entered me for the competition. I was completely shocked and never imagined that even one of the judges would turn, never mind all four! It is the most indescribable feeling. I am so honoured and blessed,” said Tolken.
Her mother Christa and middle sister Christine were behind the stage supporting her.
Tolken is a beauty therapist by day and a singer by night and has been performing locally for the past eight months at venues such as Nice to Meat you in Kempton Park, The Sink Shack in Bronkhorstspruit and the Baron in Witkoppen.
“I was born and grew up happy and barefoot in Phalaborwa until I was 12. I went to Laerskool Van Riebeeck Primary for the remainder of Grade Seven and Hoërskool Jeugland until matric,” said Tolken.
After studying at the Hydro International College in Edenvale, Tolken spread her wings and lived in India for a year on a floating university called Semester at Sea for three-and-a-half years and in Amsterdam for six years. She moved back to Kempton Park eight months ago.
“Singing has always been my biggest passion and since I could talk all I wanted to do was sing. I only realised two years ago that other people (not just my family) also liked hearing me sing.”
Tolken competed in The Voice Holland two years ago but unfortunately the judges did not turn for her there.
“It was a lovely experience and it gave me the boost I needed to believe in myself, even though none of them turned for me,” says Tolken.
Now that she is back in South Africa, Tolken can focus more on her true passion. “I love doing an eclectic mix of genres but nothing gives me more pleasure than to perform my own music,” she adds.
Some of Tolken’s biggest music influences are Nina Simone, Ray Lamontagne, India Arie, Sam Cooke, Billy Holiday and Roy Orbison.
She also plays the guitar and is currently working on various projects and gigs with musician Peter Hoven, who will accompany her on guitar.
When EXPRESS asked Tolken what the next step in her career was, she laughed and said, “Winning a Grammy! I am writing and performing a lot with the goal to bring out my own album soon.”
She added that she wanted to bring all glory to God by using the talent He gave her. “I want people to relate to my songs by generating my personal emotions, love and happiness through my music.”
If you want to follow Tolken’s journey on The Voice SA, tune into the battle rounds on MNet on April 2 or have a look at her Facebook page, Jacqueline Tolken Music or her YouTube channel, Jacqueline Tolken.
