SHE’S more used to singing to the dogs at the grooming parlour where she works.
But when Ava Mannings decided to try her luck on ITV talent show The Voice UK, she found a much more appreciative audience.
All of the celebrity coaches made a bid to add the former Winterbourne Academy and Hambrook Primary School pupil to their teams, putting her through to the main competition.
It means family, friends and customers of Top Groom in Downend will be able to follow Ava’s fortunes as she bids to win the 13th series of the hit show.
Ava appeared on the second episode, in the ‘blind audition’ stage where the celebrity coaches – will.i.am, LeAnn Rimes, Sir Tom Jones and the joint team of McFly’s Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones – sit with their backs to each contestant to hear them sing for the first time.
Coaches who want to add a singer to their team turn their chairs around.
‘Unbelievable’ performance
Early in her performance of Damn Your Eyes, by Etta James, Tom and Danny turned around for Ava, followed soon after by the other three.
The coaches showered her with praise, with will.i.am telling her: “You’re going to put Bristol on the map.”
LeAnn told Ava her performance was “stunning”, beautifully executed and had “incredible feeling”.
Sir Tom said: “You’re unique in yourself and I love that.”
Danny told her: “I don’t think you realise how good that was – that was absolutely impeccable, it was unbelievable. You’re a one-off.”
Ava chose Danny and Tom to coach her on the show, which was filmed between October and June this year. The result is a closely-guarded secret.
Inspiration at Hambrook Primary School
Ava, who is 21, grew up in Fishponds, Downend and Frenchay, and attended Hambrook Primary School and Winterbourne Academy.
It was at Hambrook that she was inspired by Sue Cessford, who led the school choir.
Sue, who passed away in 2019, encouraged Ava to sing after hearing her humming.
Ava told the Frome Valley Voice: “She made me believe there was something there.”
Ava took part in school productions at Winterbourne Academy but says her love of singing goes back as far as she can remember.
She said: “I’ve been singing since I could talk.
“My mum always had music going and did am dram (amateur dramatics). I’d see mum doing acting and finding so much joy and happiness in music. By the time I could talk, walk and sing and dance, I wanted to be on the stage.”
Ava’s first stage performance was playing one of the von Trapp children in a production of The Sound of Music by St Mary’s Players in 2014.
She performed as the voice of Audrey the killer plant in Bristol Amateur Operatic Society (BAOS) Youth’s production of Little Shop of Horrors in 2018.
Ava said: “I’ve got so much love for BAOS, and a lot of them have texted me saying they can’t believe I’ve gone on The Voice.”
After leaving school Ava cut short plans to study music, preferring to get a job and start earning.
During two years of working as a groomer she has sung publicly at the occasional event, including one-off gigs and funerals, “where it means the most”.
She sings to the dogs at the grooming parlour “to make it through the day”.
Inspired by soul legend Aretha
Ava’s inspirations include George Michael, Michael Jackson and American rock band Tool.
But her two biggest influences are Barbra Streisand, who she “absolutely adores”, and soul legend Aretha Franklin.
Ava said: “There are people out there that will hear that old soul in me.”
Even though she knew the result, Ava was nervous when her audition was screened in September.
She said: “I was sitting there biting my lip, not knowing what they were going to put in – it was a crazy experience.
“I’m extremely excited to finally be able to see it and for the world to be able to see it.
“I still feel extremely lucky to have had those chairs turn around for me, and very privileged.”
Back on TV this month
Top Groom owner Caroline Clancy said: “Ava is singing all the time, the whole day, when she’s here.
“Although she’s potentially not going to be back with us, we’re really rooting for her 100% – she’s an amazing kid.”
Ava will next appear on The Voice UK on October 12. The show screens on ITV1 on Saturdays at 8.30pm and is also available to stream via ITV’s website.