From the age of just four Yazmin Asim told her mum that she wanted to be a pop star.
And now the South Shields youngster is one step closer to achieving her dream after making it through to the first round of The Voice Kids.
The talented 11-year-old will appear on the ITV show on Saturday, July 8, where she will perform during the 'blind audition' in the hope that judges will turn their chairs.
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The TV series sees youngsters aged from seven to 14 showcase their singing skills in front of judges Will.i.am, Pixie Lott, Ronan Keating and Danny Jones. If they win the overall show they will receive a family holiday and a £30,000 scholarship to develop their musical abilities.
Yazmin, who attends Sacred Heart High School in Newcastle, applied for the programme last September following the encouragement of Dudman Academy singing teacher, Natasha Dudman. She then traveled to auditions in Manchester and London before being selected to star in the blind audition which was filmed in March.
"I loved my The Voice Kids 2023 experience," Yazmin said.
"I never imagined I would get to the blind auditions but I did and I am so excited for everyone to watch my audition and see how hard I have worked. I love performing and singing it is my happy place.
"I met some amazing people on my journey and can’t wait to share this with everyone."
Yazmin was selected from more than 17,000 applicants to be one of the 38 children who will appear on the televised series.
Proud mum Marybeth Gilbride, 31, said the family will be watching the show at Forest Hall Social Club this weekend.
"It has been such a good experience and she has thoroughly enjoyed it," she said.
"She has told me since she was four years old that she wants to be a singer and you get the same comment now.
"She says 'there's no 'what if', that's what I am going to be.'"
Marybeth continued: "I am extremely proud. She had worked so hard. She is super excited and wants to show everyone how much she enjoys singing."
Yazmin hopes the North East would get behind her by tuning in to watch the show this weekend.
"I would like to thank Natasha Dudman my singing teacher as she pushed me to audition to help my confidence. Without her, this wouldn’t have been possible," she said.
"She took a lot of time to help and prepare me and I will be forever grateful."
Watch Yazmin on The Voice Kids on ITV at 7.30pm on Saturday, July 8.
