Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past 2 years, you’ve probably seen or heard about the junior version of the show that took Lebanon by storm: The Voice Kids. Etcetera spoke to the talent famous for his captivating voice and presence as well as his wise-beyond-his-years character.

Ghady Bechara, the Voice Kids finalist turns 13 this month. He was only 10 years old when he first auditioned for the show and today he shares his memorable experience of fame at a young age with us.

What Set Off Ghady’s Journey?

It all started at home when he would hear his eldest sister sing to YouTube karaoke videos and occasionally upload covers on her social media platforms. He then took on singing himself and was encouraged by his supportive mother as well as his vocal teacher/celebrity coach Mr. Toni Bayeh at school, who became very emotional when he first heard Ghady sing for Wadih el Safi during music class.

Ghady first thought about sending in audition videos when he saw The Voice Kids’ commercials on TV. His family then discussed the matter and explained to him the amount of commitment needed and the difficulties that may lie ahead from long shooting hours to intensive rehearsals and so in, in addition to the fact that he may lose or win in this competition. Fast-forward a few weeks ahead, Ghady was notified of his acceptance into the Blind Audition as he was having one of his favorite foods: Sushi! “I was having mixed feelings of excitement and some anxiousness” he says, “because I knew that additional responsibilities were expected of me in the near future.”

His Life After The Voice Kids Aired

As the competition went on, Ghady passed through several stages such as The Blind Audition, The Battle, and The Sing-Off until he eventually became a finalist on the show. After the show ended, he was then very active as a young artist and joined the Voice Kids’ Team on their tour where they performed in Beirut, Dubai, Abou Dhabi, Bahrain and other locations. He appeared as a guest on several TV shows and was asked to perform at countless events, most notably at the Lebanese Diaspora Energy Event 2017 in the presence of the President General Michel Aoun along with other important Lebanese politicians and societal figures.

Ghady was not only chosen for singing purposes but also to be an advocate for good causes. He stresses: “ I am delighted to have used my voice, not only to sing, but also to raise awareness and make a good impact”. For instance, Ghady is the youngest ambassador for the GNK Traffic Academy, which promotes road safety awareness within the community as well as educate 6-18 year-old children about in-car and pedestrian safety. Furthermore, he was also selected to be the junior ambassador of SOS in Lebanon, in addition to being face of the year (image) for the National Council for Road Safety sponsored by The Lebanese Ministry of Interior and run by Mr Michel Moutran.

Most recently, Ghady released his first single under the title “Hada Aadi”, which translates to “Someone Ordinary”. His song, which was played on several Lebanese radio stations and uploaded on Anghami, was received well by listeners and gathered over 7 million views on different social media platforms. As his song title suggests, Ghady believes that fame shouldn’t change who a person really is. He confirms that his experience definitely boosted his self-confidence on stage and he admits: “I do feel happy whenever I am recognized when I go out in public”; however, he tries to maintain a normal lifestyle as an ordinary individual. Ghady’s favorite school subject is Science, and he very much enjoys watching documentaries especially those about animals and wildlife. He is also entertained by magic tricks and funny pranks, which he sometimes performs on his family! Moreover, Taekwondo, tennis, and table tennis are some of his favorite activities, in addition to experimenting in the kitchen and reading in his spare time.

What Advice Does He Give to Other Young Dreamers?

When asked about his advice to other children who dream of participating in talent shows, he encourages them to showcase their skills and capacities as long as they keep their feet on the ground, and they stay humble and true to themselves. He considers fame at a young age to be a challenge to deal with; nevertheless, he says:

“It is possible if you are determined to always keep learning and to work your way through it.”

 (told ya he’s wise, guys!!)

As for his definition of a success story, Ghady is convinced that every person with a dream who summons the courage to take a first step and work towards it is a success story in itself.