Idol Chatter & Voice Views

The audition: Christine Cain, 27, of Pasadena, Calif., performed “Watermelon Sugar” by Harry Styles. John Legend turned quickly, followed by Kelly Clarkson. John called it the most soulful performance he’s heard of the song and said he was captivated by her tone. Christine joined Team Legend.

Here’s more about Christine:

* Growing up, Christine was more involved in dance and cheerleading than music. She was a captain of the cheerleading squad at Pasadena High School and received an NCAA All-American award during cheer camp as a senior.

* During high school, she only sang casually or with friends. Yet she was named best singer in her senior yearbook. “Don’t ask me how that happened,” Christine admitted. “The only people that knew I could sing were my teammates and some close friends and family, of course.”

* After high school, Christine went to college to study music business, intending to stay behind the scenes. But she said her curriculum also included performance ensemble classes designed to place students in the shoe’s of an artist by making them put on a show. Christine said her success in doing that helped give her the confidence to sing in public.

* Her Voice audition marked only her fourth public singing performance. Christine said her first came “right after I finished school. A friend of mine reached out to me asking if I wanted to fill an 11 p.m. slot for a show they were having at Hotel Café in Hollywood. I immediately jumped on the opportunity because I knew this was my shot to show the world who I am and what I’m capable of doing and I definitely felt that I did just that!”

* Christine said she had a couple of other shows after that and more planned when the pandemic hit and performance opportunities dried up. That’s when a producer from The Voice reached out to her, having seen videos of her performing on Instagram.

* Christine says she was a first reluctant; she didn’t feel ready for something that big. But her mother encouraged her. “She said to me ‘What do you have to lose? Just do it and see what happens; you never know.’ So I did it, and now I’m here and honored to be able to say that I am on The Voice season 20 representing Team Legend.

* Not only that, but Christine wound up auditioning on the first day of blind audition tapings. In fact, she was the very first singer to audition. “They announced the order and said my name first, my heart literally dropped to my stomach,” Christine recalled. “I couldn’t believe that I would be the first voice these coaches heard for the season. Deep down inside, I couldn’t have been happier. I stepped out of my own way, and as the doors opened, I said, ‘Let’s get it, girl,’ because I knew this was it. This was my chance.”

* Christine said she typically performs a slower neo-soul / R&B vibe. “But coming onto the show has
truly pushed me out of my comfort zone and has introduced a more lively and up-tempo song selection,” she said. “That experience has truly been a joy.”

* As for her audition song, Christine said “the moment Harry Styles dropped ‘Watermelon Sugar,’ I instantly fell in love with this song. I thought this song truly captured this free-spirited summertime feeling. And there was just something about it that made my heart flutter. I just felt like ‘Watermelon Sugar’ was such a vibe, and I’m all about that.”

* And Christine said she just had to join Team Legend because of John’s experience as an R&B artist and performer. “I knew that there would be so much knowledge he would drop that I would be able to keep and use to further my career. I couldn’t wait to become a​ sponge to all of his wisdom from being in the game for so long. I have been listening to John Legend since I was about 12 years old. At the time, he was signed to GOOD Music, founded by rapper Kanye West and dropped his album ‘Get Lifted.’ I’ve been a fan ever since. He’s truly an inspiration and will forever be a mentor/coach, no matter the outcome.”

Christine on social media:
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