Police Monthly May 2013 - NSW Police Force

THE VOICE OF THE
SHINES ON OUR NATION’S TV SCREENS
The lead singer of the Police Band recently made it
through the blind audition phase of The Voice to become
an impressive contender on the top rating show.
STORY AMANDA BEADMAN
POLICE MONTHLY
wanting Belinda on their team. But it
was Latino heartthrob Ricky who won
Trials and tribulations
The excitement and opportunity of
her over in the end.
Belinda’s involvement on The Voice
As a little girl Special Constable
Belinda Adams was too shy
to sing in front of an audience – or
“Initially I thought I was going to
choose Seal, and I am a massive fan
of all of the judges, but when Ricky
started talking I knew I had to choose
represented a change of fortune for
her entire family.
Belinda herself has suffered from a
severe intestinal disease throughout
anyone at all. But because she loved
him,” she said.
her life and on two separate
to sing, she would do it on her own,
The words that won her over
occasions has almost lost her life on
behind a closed bedroom door.
would be music to any vocalist’s ears
the operating table.
Her parents would listen from
coming from an artist who has sold
The condition means she will be on
outside, encouraging her to come out
more than 70 million albums.
medication for the rest of her life.
and perform for them.
“I believe that you can do anything
Belinda’s brother also met with
Eventually the young Belinda
you want with that voice,” Ricky said.
physical limitations after he was hit
conquered her nerves and took to
“I’m looking for a voice that walks
by a bus in London and lost a leg.
the stage as part of a Year 6 Variety
Concert, where she performed
Madonna’s ‘Crazy For You’ in front of
her schoolmates.
into a studio today, records a song
and years from now you will feel you
can touch the sky listening to that
voice and I’ve found it today – that
Despite the tragedy he went on
to represent Australia twice in the
Winter Paralympics.
Belinda’s father, while a
ABOVE AND RIGHT Belinda
Adams performing with The
Police Band at The Rocks
“Everyone came up to me
is you.”
professional cyclist, was involved
afterwards and said ‘you were so
Although she has performed
in an accident that left him in the
good’,” said Belinda, who now sings
on television before, including on
trauma ward undergoing facial
full time with the Police Band.
Mornings with Kerri-Anne and singing
reconstruction, enduring multiple
“They didn’t know I could sing
the national anthem at the 2012 City
strokes, two bypass surgeries and
like that.”
to Surf, Belinda said the intensity
a cancer diagnosis – all within the
It’s a long way from the shy little
of her blind audition was a unique
space of five years.
girl alone in her room to the stage
of one of the nation’s most popular
TV shows.
With decades of experience as
a professional singer behind her,
Belinda has come a long way.
Her talent and ability were enough
to make all four judges on the Nine
Network’s The Voice ‘turn their chairs’
to indicate they were interested in
experience.
“It was exhilarating, nerve-racking
and exciting,” she said.
“I may have looked calm on the
outside but I was petrified on the
inside.”
Belinda said she chose to compete
on the show because of its integrity
and positivity, adding that, while
some might find it daunting to be
Following on from that, her mother
had a breast cancer scare and
Belinda and her husband were badly
burnt when a boat they were on
exploded.
“We’ve had more than our fair
share of misfortune, but I try to
always look ahead,” Belinda said.
“We’ve faced a lot as a family.”
Started off
perfect and just
got more perfect
from there.
mentoring Belinda throughout the
thrust into the national spotlight, she
Follow Belinda and the Police
competition.
The 39-year-old’s performance
of the Jennifer Hudson song I am
changing had Seal, Ricky Martin,
Delta Goodrem and Joel Madden all
was ready for any new challenges.
Unfortunately Belinda did not make
it through the ‘battle rounds’ but said
she loved the whole experience and
welcomed the additional publicity
Band on their Facebook
page at www.facebook.
com/nswpoliceband
– Joel Madden’s feedback
to Belinda Adams
following her blind
audition for The Voice
pitching their heartfelt reasons for
since her appearance..
18 PoliceMonthly MAY 2013