Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Kelsea Johnson of The Voice Season 14

Her background: Kelsea says she has always sang and thinks her love of music came from her grandfather, who performed in a mariachi band. “When I was 6, I stood on a chair at my birthday party and told everyone to be quiet, because I’m going to sing a song,” Kelsea recalls. “And all my family just rooted for me. They supported me since day one.” Her grandfather was diagnosed with liver cancer, but insisted she continue her plans to audition for The Voice. He passed before getting to watch her on The Voice stage.

What the show didn’t show:

* Kelsea received a scholarship to Stony Brook University in New York and graduated in three years with a degree in psychology and sociology.

* Though she said she has sung “every day of my life for as long as I can remember,” she didn’t start pursuing music as a possible career until her final year of college.

* The Voice opportunity came along after she submitted a video to the show’s Snapchat competition. She wasn’t selected for a Snapchat team, but later received an invite to audition for the real show.

* She says her biggest prior performance was during Stony Brook Idol, a talent competition for students at the university. She made it to the final round and calls it “a really fun experience.”

* She hasn’t released any music, but considers herself a neo-soul artist. “I love music that makes you feel like it’s a Sunday morning, if that makes sense,” she told Voice Views. “Lauryn Hill, India Aire, and Daniel Ceasar are some of my favorites. I love music with a message and music that nourishes your soul.”

* Kelsea said her audition song was a tribute to her grandfather.

On picking Alicia: “You know, I’ve always loved Alicia Keys. Oh my gosh, I’m crazy about her. So going in, I had already told myself like, if Alicia turns, I’m definitely going with her.” The comments made by Kelly and Adam had her wavering for a bit, she admitted in a conference call interview. “But I just went with my gut and went with who I originally said I would go with. So I stuck with Alicia and I’m really happy about that choice.”

On social media:
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Twitter: @KelseaJohnson
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