Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Darious Lyles, 30, of Chicago, Ill., performs during his blind audition on The Voice Season 18. (NBC Photo)

“I was not ready,” he admits now.

That was not a problem when he showed up for his blind audition for The Voice Season 18.

His opening on “How Do You Sleep” by Sam Smith was so impressive, John Legend and Kelly Clarkson turned their chairs in a heartbeat.

Both complimented Darious on an impressive vocal performance. But the 30-year-old from Chicago opted to join Team Legend.

Here’s what Darious told Voice Views about that blind audition experience.

Voice Views: How did you wind up auditioning for The Voice Season 18 and what prompted you to do it?

Darious: I got an email from The Voice and I thought it was spam at first [LOL] until I read it. I got invited to a private audition and the rest is history.

Voice Views: Why did you choose “How Do You Sleep” for your audition and what’s your history with that song? Is it one you’ve performed often?

Darious: I actually had just heard the song weeks prior to my audition. When I heard it I thought it was a pretty dope song for my genre. I know what it feels like for someone to keep a secret from me. I think we all do, right?

Voice Views: Did you have a coaching preference heading into the blind audition, and why did you decide to go with Team Legend?

Darious: Going into my audition I knew that I wanted either Kelly or John. I chose John Legend because he is very sure what he wants as a coach. Everything that I worked hard on in practice he called it out back to me. Good coaches LISTEN and RESPOND.

Voice Views: And you got those two chair turns really early in the performance. Did that take the pressure off? Can you describe what that blind audition experience was like?

Darious: “Yes! I did not expect that at all! I blacked out! I saw chairs turned, and I was trying to control my emotions. At that moment, I knew I made my family proud. The same day I auditioned was the anniversary of me laying my adopted mom to rest, so it was a bit much to handle.”

for more on Darious, his background in music and info on the music he’s already released, head here.