BROWNSVILLE — At 9 years old, Joel Trevino has captured the hearts of people across the country after being selected to compete in Telemundo’s nationally televised singing competition, “La Voz Kids.”
A singing sensation from Brownsville, Joel is one of 45 children who have been selected for the show after participating in a blind audition. Singing “No Me Dolio” by La Original Banda El Limon, Joel made a strong impression on all of the show’s three judges, which included famous recording artists Daddy Yankee, Natalia Jimenez and Pedro Fernandez.
“When all three of the show’s judges turned their chairs around to ask Joel to be on their team, you could see a look of shock,” said Ani Tharpe, Joel’s music teacher from Egly Elementary. “They were shocked to hear this big voice and see this little kid. He’s just amazing.”
Joel said he was shocked himself to see all three coaches turn around in their chairs.
“I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “It was like a relief. It was my first time being on TV. It was my first time meeting artists. It was super fun,” Joel said.
Joel chose to work with Pedro Fernandez because his favorite type of music is banda. Fernandez’s award-winning songs are from musical genres that include Latin pop, mariachi, banda and ranchera.
One of the things Joel stated he looks forward to is learning more singing skills. He feels confident that he will — now that he has a Latin Grammy award-wining artist as his mentor.
“Joel started watching ‘La Voz Kids’ on Telemundo when he around 6 years old,” said his mom, Araceli Trevino. “He would constantly ask me to take him to audition for the show for his birthday. I was like, ‘Joel, I could never take you over there’ … and now, here we are.
“I never imagined that he would be doing all of this stuff. It’s happened so quickly. He didn’t take steps, he jumped.”
Joel said he feels nervous and excited about the show’s first Battle Round, which will air at 7 p.m. tonight on Telemundo.
“I know when it gets competitive, it gets harder and harder,” he said. “But I’m proud of myself.”
