North East buskers who were crowned winners of The Voice UK to release their first song ‘Heartbeat’

Two North East buskers who won The Voice UK will release their first single this week.

Jenna Cole, 22, and Olivia Irvin, 24, were crowned winners of the twelfth series of the ITV show back in January. The duo, who were known as ‘Jen & Liv’, are the first ever group to win the singing competition.

During the show, Jenna, from Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, and Olivia, from Spennymoor, County Durham, were mentored by Black Eyed Peas star Will.i.am. When they won, they bagged themselves a record deal, £50,000 and a dream holiday to Mauritius.

Weeks after winning the show, Jenna and Olivia, who often busk in Newcastle city centre, confirmed that they had changed their name to ‘HUNNI”.

They have now announced on their social media channels that their first single, which is called ‘Heartbeat’, will be released on Friday. Fans are able to pre-save the song on Spotify and Apple Music.

They posted: “So much love, time and energy has gone into this track. The past year has been such a rollercoaster, working with so many talented collaborators, finding our sound, and discovering HUNNI. We are so proud of ‘Heartbeat’, and we hope you love it as much as we do.”

Jenna and Olivia first met when they were in a Little Mix tribute band together as Jade and Leanne. They decided to become a duo and went on to play gigs all over the UK.

In 2022, they impressed Tyson Fury and Sean Paul with their vocals. Tyson Fury began dancing to their music in Newcastle city centre and Sean Paul invited them backstage to perform for him following his gig at the O2 City Hall.

They first wowed the judges on The Voice UK when they belted out Doja Cat’s song ‘Woman’ in their blind audition. Tom Jones, Olly Murs, Anne Marie and Emma Willis, who was sitting in the seat of Will.i.am, all turned in their chairs.

Will.i.am, who was waiting backstage, then appeared on stage and all four coaches indicated why they wanted the pair to be on their team. Jenna and Olivia then chose to join Team Will.

They were one of four acts who competed in the pre-recorded final, which was voted on by the studio audience. They sang their own version of Whitney Houston’s hit I’m Every Woman before joining will.i.am for a duet of his Beyoncé remix Break My Soul.

To the delight of people across the North East, Jenna and Olivia were announced as the winners of the talent show.

The previously told Chronicle Live that they wouldn’t have achieved the success that they have if it wasn’t for the ongoing support which they receive from people across the region.

Jenna said: “Thank you doesn’t really quite cut it. We could not have built up the confidence to get on the stage on The Voice if it wasn’t for our North East following and support.

“Every time we have been out in Newcastle, and we hear ‘I love you two, I love your voices’, it genuinely means more than the world.

“I think that’s the special thing about Newcastle and the North East – we get behind local creatives and businesses and we have really felt that. We wouldn’t be where we are today without the North East. We’re always going to stay true to home.”

Olivia added: “In terms of the support in the North East, it’s been amazing. It’s just lovely. It’s really overwhelming the support we have.”

View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/north-east-buskers-who-were-29002598