Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Damali is congratulated by Kelly Clarkson after earning a spot on Season 17 of The Voice. (NBC Photo)

So close, Blake Shelton didn’t think a chair had turned and started launching into a consolation pep talk.

Kelly Clarkson, of course, quickly corrected him, noting that she had turned at the very last second.

It was part of a strategy, she said. She didn’t want to have to battle anyone else to get Damali on her Season 17 team.

And anyone watching could tell Kelly was impressed early on by Damali’s cover of “Ocean Eyes”

Here’s what Damali, 16, of Norwalk, Calif., told Voice Views about her blind audition experience.

Voice Views: How did you wind up auditioning for The Voice Season 17 and what prompted you to do it? Especially at such a young age?

Damali: I’ve always had a passion for music and honestly auditioning on The Voice was always like a distant dream. Luckily that dream so became a reality when I chose to just follow my heart and audition for The Voice. My mentality was that I have nothing to lose but a lot to gain considering my age.

Voice Views: Why did you choose “Ocean Eyes” for your audition song?

Damali: Personally, I believe Ocean Eyes fits my voice perfectly. It’s a ballad and it gave me a lot of room to play around with it and make it my own.

Voice Views: Now, that chair turn came at the very last second. Were you losing hope? Did that prompt you to change your approach to the performance at all? What was the blind audition experience like?

Damali: I’m so glad that Kelly turned at the last second because I feel my emotions would have affected my voice while singing. Just from seeing her face, I think I would have been freaking out and so happy just that she turned.

I never lost hope because I was up there doing what I love to do and that is sharing a message with my voice to people that care to listen. The crowd actually stood up for me towards the beginning of the song and they stood and clapped throughout my entire audition. Their energy alone made me so happy and fueled my performance to give it all I had. Every time I think about how Kelly did push her button, it brings tears to my eyes because of how special and suspenseful that moment was for me.

Voice Views: How do you feel about landing on Team Kelly? Did you have a coaching preference heading into the audition?

Damali: I am absolutely excited that I am on Team Kelly. I wanted her from the beginning and it’s like a dream come true just to know that I’m going to be working with her. She was my first choice when thinking about which coach I wanted. I’m so grateful and excited to have her coach me, I know a lot of fun awaits!

See also …
Meet Damali of The Voice Season 17