Voice’s Bella reveals how she will spend $100k win

Bella Taylor-Smith has been named the winner of 2021 edition of The Voice, emerging victorious and getting a supporting gig with coach Guy Sebastian.

Bella Taylor-Smith won’t be buying herself any expensive gifts or lavish treats.

The Voice winner will literally use her $100,000 prize money to pay bills and set herself up after a tough few years.

“I am so behind, I have so many bills to pay and haven’t been able to work obviously because of Covid,” the 24-year-old told The Daily Telegraph. “The feeling of not having debt anymore is honestly the most overwhelming thing and so surreal. I can’t wait to pay off some bills.”

Taylor-Smith said her debt is “enough for it to not be easy to fix”.

Singer Bella Taylor-Smith after winning The Voice on Sunday night. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

“It has been challenging but this is the biggest blessing,” she said. “It feels a bit surreal to not have to worry about that anymore and to save potentially to buy a house one day and all of those things feel a bit more possible now, which is amazing.”

Singing teacher Taylor-Smith beat fellow top four contestants Arlo Sim, GNat! on and Mick Harrington to secure the series title, along with the cash prize and an album deal with EMI Music.

Coach and mentor Guy Sebastian has also booked her to support him on his upcoming national tour.

Sydney's Bella Taylor-Smith crowned winner of The Voice 2021. Pictured with her coach, Guy Sebastian.

The future is looking bright for the singer after a few tough years that saw her become the primary carer for her teenage sister and her father was addicted to ice and was jailed at the time she auditioned for the reality singing show.

Her dad was able to Zoom from rehab as she watched The Voice final with her sister, Gabby, and boyfriend, Josh Cole.

“Whenever I sing my goal is always to make sure that people can feel safe to feel their emotions and go on that journey with me,” she said. “As scary as it might feel to share my personal life and to communicate that through singing, it can be really rewarding and special for people watching and experiencing it.”

The Voice was filmed at the end of last year and early this year. At the time, Taylor-Smith was dating her now ex, Lyam, who appeared on screen during the auditions and grand final.

She and guitarist and disability care worker Cole became official over the past few months, having met through their local church and previously releasing an EP together titled Tell Me How You Really Feel?

“Bella is just so kind,” Cole said. “Given the trauma she has been through, she is finally getting the success she deserves. I am so proud of her.”

Singer Bella Taylor-Smith, who won The Voice, on Sunday with her boyfriend Josh Cole, in Zetland. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Taylor-Smith has been likened to the Australian Adele, which she takes as “the biggest compliment in the world”.

“She is one of the most incredibly talented singers of our generation in my opinion,” she said. “That comparison just feels a bit crazy, she is so amazing.”

The Voice grand finalist Arlo Sim with coach Keith Urban.

Jessica Mauboy and Mick Harrington.

Taylor-Smith’s debut compilation, The Complete Collection, is out now and includes her new original single, Higher, as well as previously unreleased take on Ave Maria, Never Enough, Everybody Hurts and The Voice Within.

She is excited to work on new original music to share with her fans.

“I love writing music so I can’t wait,” she said. “I have been writing a lot through lockdown. It feels very rewarding. I have been writing a lot to do with love and falling in and out of love, just heartbreak and then heart rebuild have been the themes. Like all music, it all comes back to how we feel.”

Sydney's Bella Taylor-Smith crowned winner of The Voice 2021.

Rita Ora and G-Nat!on.

It is the first season of The Voice on Channel 7 after the broadcaster nabbed the format from rival Nine Network.

It has been a ratings smash despite former Nine boss Hugh Marks playing down the significance at the time Seven bought the format.

“Unfortunately, due to the age of the show and its declining demographic profile, The Voice had become by far the poorest financial performer on our slate,” a Nine representative said at the time. “We wish Seven well in their quest to revive yet another Nine show.”

Not perturbed and backing the decision, Seven revamped The Voice by bringing in new coaches and making the series shorter and more fast-paced.

The Voice on Sunday night drew a whopping more than two million viewers nationally. It is one of the most successful shows of the year.