Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Michael Williams, standing alongside Voice host Carson Daly, reacts to being saved by Nick Jonas. (NBC Photo)

Michael Williams and Allegra Miles were part of one of the most successful duets on the opening night of battles on The Voice.

They performed the Sam Smith version of the classic Whitney Houston hit “How Will I Know.”

Both wound up advancing to the knockout round. Allegra was declared the winner. Coach Nick Jonas then decided to use his only save to keep Michael in the competition.

Here’s what Michael, 18, of Mason, Ohio, told Voice Views about that performance.

Voice Views: What do you think was the key to the success of that battle round performance? And how did it feel to get that incredible feedback on your vocals?

Michael: For both of us, the key to success in the battles was thinking of it as a duet and not a battle. I feel like the key to my personal success was staying focused on the message of the song as well as putting my best foot forward with what I sang and how I sang it.

It was amazing to get that amazing feedback on my vocals. To have John Legend say that I sounded like Nick was so crazy and I am so grateful. It is extremely surreal and humbling to have four superstars give such encouraging and constructive feedback!

Voice Views: How did the song choice work for you? Did it pose any special challenges? Is it a song you were familiar with?

Michael: The song choice worked out well for me in the end. At first, it was definitely a challenge to sing because it is in such a high register of my voice. After spending hours of time working on the song and after some amazing advice from the Jonas Brothers, I feel like I brought the song into a really good place. Though I was familiar with Whitney Houston’s version of the song, I had never heard Sam Smith’s. I loved Sam’s version once I heard it and that version was something my voice got used to over time.

Allegra Miles and Michael Williams listen to the coaches feedback following their battle round match on The Voice. (NBC Photo)

Voice Views: Are you used to singing with others or performing duets? And, if so, do you think that worked to your advantage in preparing for the battle?

Michael: Because of my experience singing on the worship team at church, I am used to singing harmonies, and because of my experience singing musical theater and duets, I was used to singing with other people.

It was an easy transition to sing with Allegra not only because of my experiences but also because of our chemistry and connection as friends even before we sang together. I think that my past experiences played to my advantage and allowed me to be comfortable singing in a duet setting.

Voice Views: Once Allegra advanced, how did you feel about your chances of being saved/stolen? And what do you think about being involved in this brand new twist, a four-way knockout? Any strategy heading into that performance?

Michael: After Allegra advanced, I felt like it was up in the air whether I would be saved or stolen. Nick had said to us in a practice that he thought one of us would for sure be stolen or saved, so I had a confidence in that. But I also thought to myself that I had put in a good performance and I was just going to wait and see what happens. I was ready to continue on the show, but also ready to be content if my time was up.

I am ecstatic to be a part of this incredible new twist. I think viewers will find new excitement and connection to the four-way knockout in how they can get involved with voting early and also in the way each of sings. The four of us each have different singing styles and we hope to bring four powerful performances for everyone.

Voice Views: Is there anything else you’d like to add about the battle round experience?

Michael: The battle round is so unique because you get a glimpse behind the scenes. You get a taste of how the teaching process works and also how the song progresses each time we sing it. I am truly grateful for all of Nick, Joe, and Kevin’s advice, and extremely humbled and thankful to Nick for using his only save on me!

See also …
Meet Michael Williams
Michael talks about his blind audition