Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Destiny Rayne interacts with the coaches following her blind audition on The Voice. (NBC Photo)

Destiny Rayne couldn’t have drawn a tougher challenge in The Voice Season 17 battle round.

She was pitted against Katie Kadan, a four-chair turn recipient, professional musician and an early front-runner on the show.

Sure enough, Katie won the battle. But Destiny was so impressive during their performance of “Tiny Dancer” by Elton John that two coaches — Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton — tried to steal her.

She wound up going with Gwen. And though she was eliminated in a knockout round match with Rose Short, an eventual member of the Top 13, Destiny calls her time on the show “an unforgettable, life changing experience.”

Here’s what the 23-year-old from Coral Springs, Fla., who now resides in Nashville, told Voice Views about her experience on the show.

Voice Views: What do you consider your biggest takeaway / lesson learned from The Voice experience?

Destiny: I would say my biggest takeaway and lesson was to work hard and pour yourself fully into what you love. I learned to really give my all, especially when it comes to something like The Voice. You only have one shot to nail it, so take the encouragement, coaching and advice my coach gives me and put in the work.

Also, what I learned from Gwen and Taylor in the knockouts was to not put my only focus on singing the song great, but finding your own personal connection with the song, and show that emotional connection when you perform. A great singer is a great communicator.

Voice Views: The battles and knockouts were filmed over the summer. What have you been doing musically since then and where are you hoping The Voice experience leads?

Destiny: Since The Voice, I have been focusing on performing live in Nashville and songwriting! I’ve been co-writing and working on new material to release.

I am hoping this Voice experience leads to more connections with people in the music industry and to also continue to reach more people with my music. I want to hear and know what my generation needs to hear, and I want to create that for them.

Voice Views: Do you plan to release new music anytime soon? If so, can you tell me about that — what you’re planning, what fans can expert in terms of sound and the timetable for doing?

Destiny: Yes, definitely! I’ve been working on music and am eager to get new material out! Since before The Voice, I have been working on my sound and identity as an artist and this experience has grown me to further discover all of that.

Fans can look forward to hearing music that’s fresh, new and catchy. I love creating songs that are personal to me in my own experiences, but also what I would jam to in my car. So that’s definitely my vision and something my fans can look forward to!

Voice Views: Is there anything else you’d like to add about The Voice experience?

The Voice was an unforgettable, life changing experience. It was honestly the most fun I have ever had in my life and has grown me immensely as a human being and an artist. I can’t believe it still sometimes that I got to be a part of The Voice and be coached by the best of the best in the industry.

I will forever hold onto what John Legend, Usher, Gwen Stefani and Taylor Swift have taught and encouraged me in. Although this chapter in my life has come to a close I am excited for the new chapter that’s ahead. This time in my life has only prepared for what the next step is and I am ready. I am more ready than I have ever been!

See also …
Meet Destiny Rayne
Destiny Rayne talks about The Voice and her blind audition