Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Mercedes Ferreira-Dias performs during the blind auditions on The Voice Season 15. (NBC Photo)

Mercedes Ferreira-Dias had auditioned for Season 14 of The Voice and failed to make the show.

The teenager from Miami returned for Season 15 with better results.

Singing “She Used to Be Mine” by Sara Bareilles in the blind auditions, Mercedes turned two chairs and joined Team Blake Shelton.

She was eliminated following a battle round performance of “Back in the High Life Again” with Chris Kroeze, but still credits the show with giving her “a sense of direction in my life.”

Here’s what the senior at Mater Lakes Academy High School told Voice Views about her time on the show and her music moving forward.

Voice Views: The battle round was filmed in June. What have you been doing in terms of music or the entertainment industry since then. Has there been a specific post-Voice experience that stands out so far?

Mercedes: Ever since the taping of the battle rounds, I have continued to perform at local shows and giving back to my community through music outreach programs. I have also been writing a lot more, as I’m consumed with an inspiration and motivation I cannot describe.

Additionally, because I am a senior in high school, college applications have been a primary focus since August. I have spent a significant amount of time preparing for auditions in hopes of extending my musical education to the collegiate level.

Voice Views: Where do you see your time on the show leading you musically? What do you have planned next? Do you think you’ll be releasing new music in the future and, if so, what can fans expect in terms of sound/timing?

Mercedes: My time on the show has encouraged me to explore my identity as an artist and develop my own sound. My artistry is constantly developing, and I want to focus as much as I can on refining my original music.

I am hoping to finish recording some original music soon and release as much as I can by the summer of this year. I just want to make something I love, and be completely confident in it before I broadcast my vulnerabilities publicly. I am also going to continue being active on social media in hopes of growing on those platforms!

Voice Views: Do you think you grew as an artist as a result of The Voice experience? If so, in what way?

Mercedes: My experience on The Voice occurred in the most pivotal part of my life. Because of this show and what I have accomplished on it, I have a sense of direction in my life. It has reinforced my passion for music and fostered my creativity and improvement.

Not only did it improve my vocal technique and performance ability, but it also instilled a curiosity in me. I am now not afraid to explore my artistry and step out of the box of expectations. My voice cannot be reduced to a single genre or style; I am allowed to be myself, be genuinely me, as both a person and an artist.

Voice Views: Is there anything else you’d like to add about your experience on the show?

Mercedes: I would like to thank everyone who made this experience unforgettable. Not just the coaches and the incredible artists, but everyone who made my experience comfortable, amazing, and positive. The crew, production, social media team, publicists, wardrobe, beauty and hair department, among all of the others, added to this experience in ways you’d only understand if you had the pleasure of participating in it too.

On social media:
Instagram
Twitter: @mercedesfdias
Facebook

Other exit interviews
Anthony Arya
Claire Dejean
Delaney Silvernell
Erika Zade
Jake Wells
Jarred Matthew
Joey Green
Matt Johnson
Mikele Buck

Mercedes Ferreira-Dias performs during the battle round on The Voice Season 15. (NBC Photo)