A WORLD famous pop star and multi-million selling recording artist will be teaching a Southend girl a thing or two about the music industry.

Black Eyed Peas frontman Will.I.Am will be passing on pearls of wisdom to Leanne Jarvis, 24, as she makes her bid for singing success on BBC talent show The Voice.

Her stunning performance of Stay With Me Baby wowed the panel of celebrity judges on Saturday night, March 30, which also includes Essex girl Jessie J, lead singer of The Script Danny O’Donoghue and Welsh legend Tom Jones.

All four judges turned around during her “blind” audition, but it was the outlandish US star, who has had chart success all over the world with the Black Eyed Peas and solo hits, that got Leanne’s vote to be her mentor.

Speaking to the Echo on her progress in the competition, she said: “I knew I was going to go for him if I had the opportunity to, but it was between him and Jessie J.

“I love her so I’m gutted I can’t work with her, but I had to think of my career and what’s best for me as an artist.

“I thought he would be my best bet as a mentor and coach. He’s wicked, he’s from another planet, but he is really lovely and so creative.”

Leanne, who has never had professional singing lessons, has dreamt of being a singer for most of her life. She has performed with girl bands and tribute acts, but this is her big break.

She was landlady at Leigh’s Carlton pub and planned to go travelling, but when that didn't work out, an opportunity on The Voice arose.

But the star lifestyle hasn’t quite arrived for Leanne yet and she is back sharing her mum Jackie’s flat.

The former Chase High School pupil said: “I don’t want a sob story. Even though I’m at my mum’s my life has always been up and down. I have wanted this for so long, I’ve been in and out of jobs and I know things will get better.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen with my career, mum’s helping me out so I’m just staying here for the time being, there’s so much going on.”

Leanne had to keep her progress in the show secret, but shared the moment with friends and family at the Castle Pub in Southend where the show was shown on a big screen.

She said: “I knew the result, but I was so nervous. To see yourself on TV and how they edit it all was brilliant.

“I remember it being a bit of a blur, but when Jessie turned round it was just the best feeling. Words can’t describe how amazing it feels to get that recognition from people you respect in the music industry, it’s just incredible.”