Idol Chatter & Voice Views

James Violet, 20, of Utah, performs during his blind audition on The Voice Season 17. (NBC Photo)

It had nothing to do with the show. It had everything to do with his decision to move to L.A. to pursue music just two weeks out of high school.

He eventually succumbed to the pressure and moved back home.

And while that led to a debut album that came out in February, James said “I think I left L.A. in a bad way. I want to show myself and the city who I am.”

He accomplished that. His blind audition cover of Harry Styles’ “Sweet Creature” turned three chairs and landed him a spot on Team Gwen Stefani for Season 17.

Here’s what James, 20, of Syracuse, Utah, told Voice Views about his blind audition experience.

Voice Views: How did you wind up auditioning for The Voice Season 17 and what prompted you to do it?

James: I was actually invited to come to the private audition in Denver and audition for the show there! So it was honestly a dream since the beginning.

Voice Views: Why did you choose ““Sweet Creature” for your audition song? And is that indicative of the type of music you like to do?

James: I chose “Sweet Creature” as my song because I love Harry Styles and it is a song that I used to sing when I would busk (street perform) while I lived as a struggling musician in California. So it was very symbolic in that I sort of went from rags to riches when I performed it on the show.

Voice Views: Why did you decide to join Team Gwen? Did you have a preference heading into the blind audition?

James: I had no idea until I was up there. The decision was far more genuine and on the spot that I imagined it would be. It was the craziest day of my life for sure!

Voice Views: And what was that blind audition experience like? Kelly turned around very quickly. Did that take some of the pressure off?

James: Absolutely. Kelly turning gave me such a huge moment of relief that I did it. In that moment, while singing, I could relax finally because I knew I was on the show. It was such an amazing feeling. (And not to mention, I love and respect Kelly so much, so I was freaking out)

See also …
Meet James Violet