Ricky Martin is the saviour of Voice act
Ricky Martin is not only The Voice mentor for grand finalist Jackson Thomas but he is Thomas' saviour.
If not for Martin's enthusiasm and respect for Thomas' singing ability, the 24-year-old Victorian would be watching the The Voice finals from home.
Martin saved Thomas not once but twice from being eliminated from the Nine Network series.
And that's despite not spinning his chair for him during the blind auditions.
Only Kylie Minogue wanted Thomas on the strength of his rendition of Lorde's Royals during the blind auditions.
But Minogue ditched him following a battle round with Robbie Balmer and that's when Martin stepped in.
Martin saved the singer/songwriter from a battle round exit and then again in the second week of the finals.
"Just because I didn't turn around on his blind audition does not mean I did not like what he was offering," Martin explained.
"There is so much that goes on with those auditions...strategy...it's hard to explain."
As much as Thomas was grateful Minogue showed the initial interest, he only ever wanted to be on Martin's team,
He said he had an affinity with Martin following the coaching and nurturing style of his acts last year and he even took on some of that advice.
"Even before the show started, I wanted to be on Ricky's team and everything happens for a reason," Thomas said.
"Watching it last year, there were things that he would say and the advice he would give, I would try and use myself.
"Like `don't expect the audience to come to you, you have to bring them in and tell them a secret or a story and that draws a crowd in'."
Thomas has some stiff competition to win Monday night's grand final.
Minogue's pupil drummer/singer Johnny Rollins is the bookmaker's favourite to win the third season of The Voice.
Powerhouse teenager Anja Nissen is the only solo female artist and one of two acts being steered by zany Black Eyed Peas member Will.i.am.
Will.i.am is also preparing ZK (Kristal West and Zaachariah Fielding) who are the first duet to make the grand final of The Voice.
The remaining act is arena anthem specialist Frank Lakoudis who is being coached by Joel Madden.
All the grand finalists will perform a duet with their mentors on Monday.
Martin said this is the time when the singers need to let their hair down, have fun and enjoy the experience.
"For the grand finale, whatever we do on stage, it's about having fun," he said.
"For the first time in the show you don't have to think about the competition."
* The Voice Grand Final screens on Monday, July 21 at 7.30pm on the Nine Network.
