The Voice winner counts her Blessings

Blessing Annatoria, the 18-year-old Zimbabwean-born vocal powerhouse from Dudley, West Midlands - and The Voice 2020 winner - has released her debut album, Count My Blessings, via Universal Music, making her the youngest ever winner in the show’s history to release an album.

The album’s first single, ‘I Smile’, an uplifting and empowering interpretation of the Kirk Franklin original, was released in March, and saw

Blessing make a triumphant return to The Voice 2021 final for its debut performance.

The gospel-infused Count My Blessings features a stunning selection of 14 songs, representing all facets of

Blessing Annatoria as an artist. From re-imagined versions of her Voice performances and songs that have inspired and uplifted her, to hymns, which she has given a contemporary twist, Blessing Annatoria wants to bring different cultures together, spreading joy and happiness.

She comments: “I chose these hymns, because I have been singing them in church my whole life, and they mean so much to me and to so many people all over the world. I wanted to put my spin on them, and produce them in a new way to how people would have heard them before. I’m really proud of the album and in particular the hymns. ‘How Great Thou Art’ is my favourite hymn on the album, as I love the heavy beat and choir arrangement.”

The upbeat and bouncy ‘I Smile’, an anthem to joyful resilience and optimism, which has received fantastic support by

BBC Radio 2, is the poignant first single of

Blessing’s debut album, showcasing her soulful and show-stopping vocals. She is joined on the track by a remotely recorded choir, led by Kingdom Choir’s Wayne

Hernandez - best known for performing at

Meghan and Harry’s wedding and who has worked with artists, including Jay Z and Gorillaz.

The album’s emotive and soul-stirring title track, ‘Count My Blessings’, which Blessing

Annatoria co-wrote, is a rich melodic message about having faith, spreading kindness and helping each other.

Representing her childhood and faith, the album also features three hymns with a close connection to Blessing Annatoria. As a young Zimbabwean, she grew up singing hymns in church, and has been surrounded by them all

her life, which is why it was so important to her to include them on Count My Blessings, particularly the striking ‘How Great Thou Art’, which Blessing describes as her “family’s song”. All the hymns have been given a contemporary twist and are set to introduce a new audience to their uplifting powers. The Voice fans will also be thrilled with the inclusion of a beautiful new version of Blessing’s winning song, ‘Angels’ by Robbie Williams; a powerful and emotional rendition of Westlife’s ‘Flying Without Wings’, as well as an electrifying re-imagine of

Mariah Carey’s ‘Without You’, the track which secured Blessing her place in the final. Still fresh in everyone’s minds, due to being crowned the show’s ninth winner only in November 2020, after a seven-month break in filming due to the pandemic,

Blessing has firmly embraced this experience to show there truly is no stopping her. Recording her debut album remotely during lockdown with award-winning producer, arranger and songwriter Rupert Christie, who has worked with the likes of Jessie J, U2,

Coldplay, Lianne La Havas and Lou Reed, as well as Blackbook Music, Blessing Annatoria is releasing Count My Blessings less than five months after winning the show.

Count My Blessings is out now.

You can follow Blessing here: INSTAGRAM: @annatoria TWITTER: @annatoria TIK TOK: annatoria FACEBOOK: @BlessingTheVoiceUK

“It got me thinking”, writes Iona Anderson, daughter of Rupert and Carmel, “Surely, it’s better to wait on God for real love, than to be with someone who you know deep down, you’re not meant to be with?”

Iona, who is founder of DateSmart®, a new dating site run by Christians for Christians, believes that single Christian men can learn a lot from her Dad. She said Rupert came to the UK in 1959 by ship. He worked and saved his money for 2 years so Carmel could come over by plane. Iona, who is the eldest of Rupert and Carmel’s six children, agrees with her sister Angela that while it must have been tough for their parents being apart for 2 years, Rupert had his eyes on the prize which was always going to be their Mum.

Here are 3 principles on finding a wife:

Rupert was a committed Christian before he married Carmel and still is. His strong Christian faith and values have filtered into every area of his life. Rupert is kind, generous, keeps his word, is respectful and respected, shows gratitude, is considerate and has a great sense of humour!

Rupert & Carmel today

Rupert chose Carmel, not only because he was attracted to her, but it was also her good character that he observed over a period of time, that made him fall in love with Carmel and adore her.

Rupert has always been active in the church, taking on various roles. He also reaches out to others and is a great encourager. As reported by many of their friends and family at their Zoom diamond wedding celebration earlier this year. Incidentally, Rupert likes to keep up with changes and has become an expert in using his mobile and Zoom. He also fully supports single people using dating sites. And how old is he? 86!

Pray…Connect…Date

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