Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Kymberli Joye performs during the knockout round on The Voice. (NBC Photo)

A worship leader, Kymberli has spent most of her music career as a background singer for gospel artists.

But for her three-way showdown with Natasia Greycloud and Zaxai, she decided to take on “The Middle,” the Top 10 pop-dance hit released by Zedd, Maren Morris and Grey.

It worked. To perfection.

Kymberli wound up being the first singer from the trio that Kelly Clarkson advanced from the knockout.

That means we’ll see Kymberli performing again for Team Kelly in the live playoffs, which begin Monday, Nov. 12.

Kymberli, 28 when she auditioned and from Windsor, Conn., told Voice Views there were a couple of factors behind that song choice.

“When I got the chance to audition for the voice, I was in the car talking with my sister about it, and this song came on. She immediately said, ‘You should sing this!’

“My sister is a senior in high school and an aspiring singer. So this was dedicated to her. I want her to know her dreams are achievable.

“Also, this song has a message. It’s about listening to each other and not letting differences divide you. As a gospel singer, message is paramount.”

Here’s what else Kymberli had to say about her knockout round experience on The Voice.

Voice Views: That’s the second straight performance where I’m watching and thinking, this is very good … then, vroom, you take it to another level of intensity as the song winds down. If there anything you’d attribute that to? As a former background singer, is it something you’ve seen others do successfully?

Kymberli: My years of studying music, being a background singer, and writing have really taught me how to build a song. It’s more than having good vocals, it’s about telling a story with dynamics, momentum, and range. Every performance should have a production element to it.

Voice Views: You wound up in a three-person knockout round match, which I think has only ever happened one other time on The Voice. What was that like, and did that pose any special challenges?

Kymberli: Being in a three-way knockout felt a little like deja-vu because my battle was against a duo. So twice in this competition I had to go up against two voices. But it was so fun.

First off, Zaxai, Natasha and I are friends, so it made the experience all the more enjoyable. You can even see clips on the show of us encouraging each other while we were competing. That kind of camaraderie is rare.

Still, I had to bring my A-game! With that level of talent, it’s difficult. My biggest challenge, knowing I would go first, was making my performance memorable enough to be recalled after, not one, but two amazing performances following me.

Voice Views: Is there anything you want to focus on or put front and center for fans to see when the live shows begin?

Kymberli: The message is the main thing. I want to focus on singing songs that have meaning to me personally and that can connect with the fans. I’ll continue to be versatile and I hope to maybe even bring a gospel song to the stage in the future.

Voice Views: Anything else you’d like to add about the knockouts?

Kymberli: I loved singing a song that was unexpected! It may just be my favorite performance to date. And what an absolute honor to work with my coach Kelly Clarkson and the amazing Mariah Carey. My childhood dreams have come true!