Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Her audition: Mari, 20, of Clermont, Fla., performed “Boo’d Up” by Ella Mai. Her unique sound prompted quick chair turns from Adam Levine, John Legend and Kelly Clarkson. Adam complimented the fact that she’s so unique and on her great tone. Mari opted to joined Team Adam Levine.

Here’s more about Mari:

* We didn’t get much of an introduction to her on the show, but The Voice website says she grew up in a musical family. Her mother is a singer; her father is a songwriter and producer.

* Her parents are also worship leaders, which means she grew up singing in church. In fact, Mari told Voice Views that’s where she did most of her singing prior to The Voice.

* She has a cosmetology license and works at a salon in her hometown, but says she auditioned for The Voice because she “had reached a point in my life where I was feeling a little stuck. I love the beauty industry, and it was and still is a passion of mine, but I’ve always known that my purpose was to perform and create music.”

* Mari told Voice Views her musical inspirations include Paramore. “I always strive not to put myself in a box creatively, and watching them evolve as a band through the years has inspired me to continue on that path. They were the first band that introduced me to a genre different than just the R&B/gospel or pop that I was used to. ”

* Mari said she has ‘lots of far from finished and almost finished music. I’ve become a lot more serious about writing since meeting my boyfriend, whom I primarily create music with. He handles most of the production side and I typically write lyrics with his help as well. I’ve learned a lot from him and his taste in music and together we’ve been able to create a really cool, unique vibe that I’m very proud of. I’d consider it a fusion of a lot of styles, from pop to R&B, and a little bit of an indie influence in some ways. Our goal is to really just mold together all of our influences and create something that hopefully speaks to us and others.”

* She said she chose “Boo’d Up” for her audition because it has “such a fun and chill vibe. It’s very nostalgic in a way because I feel like it captures the essence of classic 90’s R&B while still being modern and relatable for today’s audience. The lyrics are super easy to connect to, and the groove just makes people happy!”

* She called her blind audition experience “insane” — in a good way, of course. “I honestly felt like I blacked out! I tend to close my eyes a lot when I sing, so I had shut my eyes for a split second and when I opened them Adam, John, and Kelly were all staring at me! It was so surreal. For so many years I had watched the show and always wondered what it would be like to stand on that stage and perform for them, and it was actually happening. It was the craziest, best feeling in the world.”

* As for why she chose to join Team Adam? “My ultimate goal for my own music is to not feel like I have to fit in a certain box,” Mari explained. “I want to create what I love and what speaks to me as an artist, regardless of if everyone receives it the same way or if it’s different from my last song or project. Adam, on his own and with Maroon 5, has been to prove themselves and change and evolve and do it so seamlessly and I love and admire that so much. Adam always manages to have a very diverse team of artists as well which I’m drawn to because no artist is like the other.”

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