The Voice UK 2018 judge will.i.am – five facts about the Black Eyed Peas star

THERE are not many music stars who have not collaborated with will.i.am at some point.

The Black Eyed Peas star has returned to UK TV screens for the 2018 series of The Voice on ITV – here are a few things you might not know about the superstar musician.

1 – Years of working in the music biz has left him with tinnitus

It appears that all art comes with a price – and Will has been left to suffer with tinnitus as a result of years of exposure to loud noises.

The 42-year-old star is often left hearing sounds and high-pitched noises that aren’t actually there.

Speaking about the issue to The Sun, he revealed: “I don’t know what silence sounds like any more. Music is the only thing which eases my pain.”

2 – He has sent his music to Mars

will.i.am is known for his innovation and wanting to take things to the next level – so much so he sent a song to Mars.

Reach for the Stars, a song created by Will just for the occasion, whisked its way to Mars and played as NASA’s Curiosity landed on the red planet.

It was the first song to ever make its debut on Mars – making him a part of history as the space programme evolved.

3 – One of his songs helped presenter Jimmy Fallon crack the US charts

Will is a known collaborator with musicians from all over he world and all walks of life – but Jimmy Fallon appeared to come out of nowhere.

After taking a shine to the EW! segment of Jimmy’s show, Will offered the presenter the chance to make a song for the characters.

As Jimmy became alter-ego Sara (with no h), Will showed off his comedy chops by becoming her best friend mir.i.am for the 2015 hit.

Following the skits success and its subsequent viral video of the song, Jimmy and Will cracked the charts at number 22 – beating Nick Jonas in the process.

Speaking about how well the song was received on the show after, Jimmy said: “That’s the biggest thing that’s ever going to happen to me, ever! I never thought I would ever crack the top 40. No Ryan Seacrest has to talk about me.”

4 – He was going to be a fashion designer before pursuing music

Ahead of finding fame as a musician with the Black Eyed Peas, Will attended the Los Angeles Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising.

He created his own clothing line named i.am in the process but later drifted away from the art to pursue music.

From then on, he does often work with clothing brands, and created a denim collection with Blue Holdings in 2007 – but is now being sued for $2million for allegedly not meeting his contractual obligations.

5 – The star suffers from ADHD

It turns out that will.i.am’s need to focus on as many things at one time comes from his Attention Deficit Disorder.

ADHD is a behavioural disorder that affects people’s attention spans, impulsiveness and causes them to be hyperactive.

However, it is often diagnosed in children – and Will only announced his diagnosis in mid-2013.