Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Her audition: Kymberli Joye, 26, of Windsor, Conn., auditioned with Whitney Houston’s “Run to You.” Her sterling vocals prompted an almost immediate chair turn from Kelly Clarkson and, by the chorus, Jennifer Hudson had turned as well. Blake Shelton joined them by the end of the song. That said, Kelly blocked Jennifer, eliminating her as an option for Kymberli. The singer decided to join Team Kelly.

Her background: Like several Voice contestants before her, Kymberli is a background singer looking to step into the forefront. She loves gospel music and how it makes people come together. She had her first solo in church at age 12 and says people immediately gave her a standing ovation. She has traveled the country singing background with a gospel group headed by JJ Hairston and recalled another performance as a background singer on the Jimmy Fallon show. “I’m not content staying in the back,” she told the show.

On being blocked from Jennifer and joining Team Kelly: “I’m slightly grateful for the block because before going in I was torn between Jennifer and Kelly. And I was like, ‘God, I don’t know how I’m going to choose if both of them turn around.’ So I like to think that God help me out on that one and made the choice a little easier, but it was crazy. It’s big thing for a coach to use their block on you so I’m humbled and honored for that.”

What the show didn’t show:

* Her Voice bio says she’s a minister and worship leader and sings in the choir at her church, where her parents are pastors.

* She began singing at age 3, according to the bio on her Reverb Nation page.

* Kymberli has released two Christian/gospel singles — “”Destiny” in 2016 and “Abba” earlier this year. You can check out the latter below.

* She graduated from Berklee College of music with a bachelor’s degree in professional music.

* In addition to touring with JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise, her music has also been featured on the JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise radio show. And her Voice bio says one of the albums she made with JJ Hairston has been nominated for a Grammy.

* Kymberli has also shared the stage with The Boston Pops, Todd Rundgren, Ben E. King and many others.

* On Aug. 3, she wrote this on Instagram: “I’ve moved into a season of revelation and discovery. As I walk this path, I find myself in a constant state of gratitude … because He knows who I am and loves me still. And the beautiful thing is, He’s shown me who I am. And I love her too. She’s sometimes a tomboy, sometimes a girly girl. She has some flaws, doesn’t make the best decisions all the time … but she’s kind and creative and loving and a visionary and a leader and a dream chaser and a force! I’m so grateful to be known by God. And now I know who I am.”

On social media:
Instagram
Twitter: @KymberliJoye
Facebook
YouTube