Julee-Anne Bell’s performance on The Voice Australia 2022 tugged at the heartstrings of everyone watching. Born without sight, however, Bell possesses an extraordinary, classically trained voice that transcends visual boundaries. Due to her blindness, she couldn’t see whether the coaches had turned their chairs or not. “I’m not sure, I mean I have never met you guys before, so I should probably let you know that I actually can’t see, I can’t see you at all. I am standing here not certain if any of you actually turned around,” said Belle.
Educated at the University of Queensland with a master’s degree in music, Bell’s journey through music has been rich and diverse. With seven years at Opera Queensland under her belt and her own music school where she educates around 50 students annually, her commitment to music is unbreakable. Belle’s audition song was not just a showcase of her vocal prowess but a testament to her spirit, facing every challenge with grace and determination despite the setbacks.
Choosing to perform “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” from The Sound of Music, Bell connected her song choice to coach Guy Sebastian’s history, creating a moment of serendipity and touching his heart.
The interaction between Bell and Sebastian was especially touching, with Sebastian expressing his desire to sing alongside Bell. Their impromptu duet highlighted Bell’s versatility and her ability to adapt her voice across different styles and ranges—a rare talent that not many singers can do. Despite an early exit from the competition, the admiration for Bell’s skill, humor, and charm remains, solidifying her as a memorable and inspiring figure in the show’s history.
Viewers on YouTube were captivated by Julee-Anne Bell’s versatility as a vocalist. They marveled at her ability to adapt her vocal style, singing as a soprano initially and then harmonizing in the same tone as Guy Sebastian—a showcase of her exceptional range and talent. Others also praised Bell for her charismatic personality and endearing partnership with her husband. Despite her departure from The Voice Australia 2022 during the cut round, Bell’s musical journey didn’t end there.
Here, Bell shared a rendition of “Time to Say Goodbye” or “Con te partirò,” a song that Andrea Bocelli immortalized on his album, Bocelli, in 1995. This performance further proved that the Queensland graduate wasn’t just a one-hit wonder.
Beyond her musical endeavors, Bell’s story includes mastering ‘flash-sonar,’ an echo-location technique utilizing tongue-clicking, as taught by Daniel Kish of World Access for the Blind. In short, she can navigate things around her using sounds. Bell now leads the organization’s Australian branch, advocating for visually impaired individuals and was even nominated for the Blind Australian of the Year Award in 2022.
The competition saw Bell competing alongside Bella Taylor Smith, who eventually won, under the mentorship of Guy Sebastian. Interestingly, Sebastian made strategic use of a new rule allowing coaches to block each other during blind auditions, ensuring Smith joined his team instead of Jessica Mauboy’s.
