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Leyla Sabo, 12, Leaves ‘The Voice’ Coaches Speechless
12-Year-Old Singing Sensation Leyla Sabo Wows The Voice Judges
Quick Summary: Meet Leyla Sabo, a 12-year-old (now 13) from Melbourne who blew away four famous music coaches on The Voice Australia — and she’s been writing her own songs since age 10!
Who Is Leyla Sabo?
Leyla Sabo is a young singer from Melbourne, Australia. Even though she’s only 12 years old (she turned 13 after filming), she’s already got years of stage experience under her belt. Think of her like a music prodigy — someone who’s naturally amazing at something way before most people her age.
Her Musical Family Roots
- Mom Annie used to sing (but she says Leyla is way better!)
- Uncles play guitar
- Music runs in the family — it’s practically in her DNA
The Big Moment: Blind Audition on The Voice
Imagine walking onto a huge TV stage where four international superstars are sitting with their backs turned, waiting to hear if you’re good enough to turn their chairs around. That’s exactly what Leyla did!
The Famous Coaches She Sang For:
- Richard Marx — 80s/90s hitmaker ("Right Here Waiting")
- Melanie C — "Sporty Spice" from the Spice Girls
- Ronan Keating — Irish superstar from Boyzone & solo career
- Kate Miller-Heidke — Australian singer-songwriter (Eurovision star)
Fun Fact: A "blind audition" means the coaches can’t see you — they only hear your voice. They turn their chair around only if they want you on their team!
How Leyla Felt
"My blind audition, I was so nervous going onto the stage, and then, once I was singing, I was fine."
— Leyla, talking to TV WEEK
Translation: The anticipation was scary, but the singing felt like home.
Leyla’s Music Journey (So Far!)
| Age | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 8–9 | Started performing live |
| 10 | Released first original song: "Hard To Breathe" |
| 12 | Supported Bonnie Anderson (won Australia’s Got Talent at 12!) |
| 12 | Sang at local Christmas carols — got mobbed by fans! |
| 12 | Auditioned for The Voice (filmed) |
| 13 | Turned 13; episode airs on TV |
The Story Behind "Hard To Breathe"
Leyla wrote her first song at age 10 after her family dog passed away. She was heartbroken, so she did what musicians do — she turned her feelings into lyrics, and those lyrics became a song. That’s pretty mature for a 10-year-old!
What Makes Leyla Special?
She Feels "Older Than 13" Sometimes
- Around friends her age → feels like a regular kid
- Around adults (like her mom’s friends) → feels mature
- Around musical people → feels like she belongs with the "older crowd"
"When I connect with musical people, I feel like I really become part of the older crowd."
Singing Is Her Happy Place
"Like, singing is my home. Like it’s all I do."
That’s the kind of passion you can’t teach — it just is.
The Carols Concert: A Taste of Fame
At a local Christmas carols event last year, Leyla performed and something wild happened:
"After I finished performing, I walked out and a bunch of people came running to me and I was like, ‘What?’ I did not expect that at all. But I really enjoyed it. It was mostly young people, and just seeing them inspired by me is so amazing."
Key takeaway: She’s already inspiring other kids — and she loves that feeling.
How to Watch Leyla on The Voice
| Platform | When |
|---|---|
| Channel Seven | Mondays & Tuesdays at 7:30 PM |
| 7plus (streaming) | Anytime on demand |
Important Points to Remember
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Leyla is 12 (now 13) and from Melbourne
- She comes from a musical family
- Wrote her first song at 10 about losing her dog
- Already has real gig experience (supported Bonnie Anderson)
- Nervous before singing, calm while singing
- Inspires other young people — her favorite part
- The Voice airs Mon/Tue 7:30pm on Channel 7 & 7plus
Summary
Leyla Sabo isn’t just a kid who sings well — she’s a young artist with a story, a voice, and a purpose. At 10, she turned grief into art. At 12, she stood in front of four global music icons and owned the stage. And now, at 13, she’s inspiring other kids just by being herself.
Whether she wins The Voice or not, one thing’s clear: Leyla’s just getting started.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Q1: How old is Leyla Sabo?
She was 12 during her blind audition filming and has since turned 13.
Q2: What song did she sing on The Voice?
The article doesn’t say which song she performed for her blind audition — you’ll have to watch the episode to find out!
Q3: Who are the coaches on The Voice Australia this season?
Richard Marx, Melanie C (Spice Girls), Ronan Keating, and Kate Miller-Heidke.
Q4: Has Leyla released music before The Voice?
Yes! She released her first original song, "Hard To Breathe," at age 10. It was about her dog passing away.
Q5: Where can I watch her audition?
Mondays and Tuesdays at 7:30 PM on Channel Seven, or anytime on 7plus (free streaming).
"Singing is my home. Like it’s all I do." — Leyla Sabo, age 13
