Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Kristina Rose is one of the contestants we’ll meet on Season 13 of The Voice.

She played the role of Tracy Turnblad in “Hairspray.”

She’s portrayed Janis Joplin at a tribute to the legendary singer.

And she’s a kickboxing instructor.

You might say Katrina Rose (Diderikson) will bring a diverse skill set to The Voice stage in Season 13.

Growing up in North Carolina bluegrass country, Katrina sang in church choir and practiced rock riffs in her bedroom, according to her website bio.

After high school, she headed off to New York University and spent three years working in karaoke clubs before she impressed producers at an open call and won the lead role of Tracy in Hairspray.

In fact, she was part of the original Hairspray cast when the musical landed at the Luxor hotel and casino in Las Vegas and continued in the role until the show ended in 2006.

She’s since appeared in a number of other musicals, including “Jerry Spring: The Opera,” “Grease” and “Rent.” In the latter, she played the role of Mimi, opposite Season 1 American Idol runner-up Justin Guarini.

Katrina also still rocks. The performance as Janis Joplin came at the Alley Theatre in Houston, Texas, near Janis’ hometown or Port Arthur.

She’s also been a regular performer with the Joe Iconis & Family Rock Band, which stages theatrical rock shows like “Bloodsong of Love: The Rock and Roll Spaghetti Western.”

In fact, she’s featured on tracks on a pair of Joe Iconis albums — “Things To Ruin: The Songs of Joe Iconis” and “Rock & Roll Jamboree.”

As for her North Carolina, bluegrass roots, Katrina recently wrote on Instagram: “This #rockandroll girl knows where her #roots lie! Good ‘ol #bluegrass and #blues will always have my heart! @alisonkrauss and #unionstation were a staple for me and my dad (love you dad!!) to sing together. I’d love to do a bluegrass album someday.”

Here are Katrina’s social media links, followed by a couple of tracks from those Joe Iconis albums.

Instagram
Twitter: @KatrinaRoseRock
Website
YouTube
Facebook

The Voice has done it again, rounding up an impressive array of talent for Season 13. Keep checking back for more profiles of the contestants we’ll meet when the blind auditions begin Sept. 25 on NBC. And for complete coverage of The Voice once Season 13 begins.