Lance Jelliman discovered his love for music at the age of ten, unknowingly setting the stage for a transformative journey. As a teenager in South Africa, music became his refuge. He was often bullied for having once been a skinny kid with acne, and his passion for music was seen as out of place in a culture where more traditional traits were valued in young men. Lunchtimes, in particular, were difficult—he was frequently isolated and mocked, earning nicknames like “pizza face.” But in the midst of this, he found solace in a piano hidden in a quiet school room, where he could escape and focus on his music. It was there, in that solitude, that his musical journey truly began.
As Lance grew older, his confidence strengthened, both physically and emotionally. He became more active and determined, pursuing athletics on his own initiative alongside his love for music. Unapologetically true to himself, Lance took every opportunity to perform, whether on stage or in front of friends. He entered several youth music competitions, earning high praise for his developing talent.
Lance began sharing his musical journey online, posting cover songs of various artists. His posts gained traction, with some videos going viral and reaching over 100,000 viewers worldwide. One of his covers, Gotta Be Somebody, even caught the attention of Nickelback, the multi-platinum Canadian rock band, which praised his performance.
As Lance’s online presence grew, family and friends encouraged him to expand his skills and raise the bar for himself, his musical talent, charisma, and appeal. Lance began to hone his live performance, arranging, and production abilities.
Lance’s musical development accelerated as he studied with some of the industry’s best vocal and instrumental coaches in both the US and South Africa, as well as with entertainment managers. He also formed a mentorship with Lee Scott, a renowned Afrikaans recording artist and actor. Lee’s career in the entertainment industry was a strong influence on Lance, and their partnership grew in anticipation of the future. With his growing talents and striking presence, Lance became a well-rounded performer, ready to shine as he pushed his limits vocally and instrumentally.
In February 2023, Lance auditioned for the final season of Idols South Africa (Season 19). Chosen from thousands of applicants, Lance performed live in front of the judges, including the charismatic Somizi, who became one of his biggest supporters on the show. Somizi praised Lance’s potential, saying, “I can see you recording an album; people will love you. You have the full package. Put your mind and heart into it, whether you make it here or not.” Lance made it through several rounds of the competition, but ultimately, he was eliminated from the finale. Grateful for the experience, Lance was determined to continue moving forward.
The very day Lance was cut from Idols, his manager encouraged him to audition for the popular South African competition show Die Kontrak (Season 3), to be aired on E.TV. Despite feeling skeptical about the tight audition deadline and exhausted from just being eliminated from Idols South Africa, Lance submitted his application with his signature smile and powerful voice. Out of over 5,000 applicants, Lance was selected to audition live at an outdoor festival. There, he met the top 24 finalists and was selected to be mentored by Monique Steyn, a legendary South African recording artist, as part of the show. With his strong work ethic and determination, Lance made it to the top 7 of Die Kontrak Season 3. His performance of Ons Twee Genoeg during the top 8 episode earned praise from the original artist Barto, who called it “legendary.”
Looking ahead, Lance is focused on releasing new original music, captivating covers, and music videos, while also supporting new and upcoming artists through production and coaching. His passion for English pop music and his natural charisma will continue to resonate with his growing international fan base. Lance is also dedicated to using his platform to raise awareness for mental health, especially in regard to men’s mental health. His goal is to spread love and unity through his music, creating a positive impact on listeners around the world.
As Lance says, “I want to push love out through my music in the hope that others will spread that love to those who hear it.”