Many know that the legendary soul singer Aretha Franklin passed away in 2018, but in 2023, a twelve-year-old girl named Gezel Bardossi brought her spirit back to life on The Voice Australia. Competing in season 12, Gezel stunned everyone with a powerful rendition of Franklin’s 1967 hit “Chain of Fools.” Her soulful voice, beyond her years, left the audience cheering and the judges in awe.
From the moment she started singing, Gezel captivated the judges. Jason Derulo was the first to turn his chair, slamming his button just 18 seconds into the performance. The other judges quickly followed, mesmerized by her gritty and mature vocals.
After her performance, the judges were still in disbelief that such a big voice could come from a 12-year-old. Jason Derulo even admitted, “I turned around and couldn’t believe how young you were. That voice is well beyond your years.” Viewers agreed, with one commenter describing her as “a little stick of dynamite” destined for success.
Gezel continued to impress throughout the competition, particularly during her Ultimate Callback performance of Britney Spears’ “Toxic,” where she showcased her vocal control and versatility. Despite her remarkable talent, Gezel was surprisingly eliminated in the Battles round after singing “Somebody That I Used to Know” by Gotye. However, she remains the youngest contestant to ever compete on the show, proving she could hold her own against much older, more experienced singers.