MUMBAI: The current heart-throb Armaan Malik has set many trends and this time, too, he has set a new trend by becoming the youngest judge on the music reality show, The Voice on StarPlus’. Armaan keeps the company of other musicians like Adnan Sami, Kanika Kapoor and Harshdeep Kaur and maestro A R Rahman who will be the Super Coach. However, Armaan is the youngest among all of them and is delighted to be a part of the esteemed panel of the judges.

At the launch event, Armaan said, “Many people from the industry have told me that ‘you still have a lot of time’. But I want to ask why? Why can’t I be good at what I do at this age?  I was also one of the youngest singers to give playback in Hindi films. Age is just a number.”

Drawing parallel with the west, Armaan says, “Look at Justin Bieber, at 24, he is a global icon in his early twenties. No one questions him or challenges him.”

For the participants, having someone like Armaan on the judging panel, can actually give them a friendly vibe and he agrees, “If you see people double my age are my contemporaries and that gives me a lot of happiness. I think I have broken norms and that’s why I can be an inspiration on the show, The Voice. I represent the youth and I want them to come forward.”

As a piece of friendly advice to youngsters, Armaan says, “Even if anyone tells you that you are too young for this, don’t pay attention. This can’t stop you from going out and doing what you want.”

A decade ago, Armaan himself was a part of a reality show and he shares his observations on the changes that have happened, “There is a definitely a change as far platforms are concerned, considering the digital revolution. We asked many contestants, why are they opting for The Voice when they can upload videos on YouTube and they said their mothers insisted on participating because it is still a great feeling to watch and hear someone sing on TV. This is because, despite the digital revolution, India, at the grass-root level is still a TV consuming audience. YouTube videos get traction when they get viral otherwise some of our relatives watch it and then it disappears.”

The name of the show is The Voice and Armaan explains the basic criteria for him to select a contestant, “Sometimes there are singers who have sung in the most amazing manner. I still would not turn and select, because for me it is the essence of the song that is most important. If you hear Arijit Singh or Atif Aslam, what do you like the most about their songs? It’s the expression in their voice that matters. Some contestants think that taking many harkat-murkis will get them selected but that's not true.”

For someone who is adored and loved by the current generation, Armaan also spoke about his idol and inspiration, “My idol has always been Sonu Nigam. He is my Bible for singing. Even today my riyaz begins with listening to his golden voice. And globally, it is Justin Bieber.”

Catch the young music sensation Armaan Malik along with other judges on The Voice, which will start airing from 3 February 2019 onwards at 8 pm on StarPlus’.