Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Joanna Serenko and Roderick Chambers during rehearsals for their battle round match on The Voice Season 18. (NBC Photo)

Roderick Chambers figured to be the underdog entering his battle round match with Joanna Serenko.

She’s turned four chairs during the blind audition, the only member of Team Nick Jonas to have done so.

Roderick had turned one — just Nick’s.

But when their performance of Billie Eilish’s “when the party’s over” ended and it was the coaches turn to talk, they indicated that might have been a mistake on their part.

And when it was time for Nick to decide which singer to advance, he named Roderick winner of the battle.

Joanna wound up surviving as well. She was stolen by Team John Legend.

Here’s what Roderick, 38 of Miami, Fla., told Voice Views about his battle round experience.

Voice Views: What do you think was the key to your success in the battle round?

Roderick: I think my years of experience performing and remaining calm was the key to my success in the battle rounds.

Voice Views: How did the song choice work for you? Did it pose any special challenges?

Roderick: I think the song worked for me because it showed the quality of my tone. I think the challenge I had was trying to make my parts sound interesting. I honestly think the song choice was more of a advantage for Joanna than for me because the song is more so flattering for her voice style and range than it is for mine. Also I think Billie Eilish’s style of singing on that song is very similar to Joanna’s.

Joanna Serenko and Roderick Chambers listen to feedback following their battle round match on The Voice Season 18. (NBC Photo)

Voice Views: You entered the competition with lots of experience performing in a group (an R&B trio known as R-Styl) with your brother Do you think that worked to your advantage in preparing for the battle and how so?

Roderick: Yes I do! I think the years of singing in harmony and in unison helped develop an ability to learn how to blend with other singers. And the years of performing helped me to be able to kind of relax during my performance in order to bring out the best of what I could do.

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

Roderick: It was really amazing to get to know Joanna and be able to sing with her! She is by far one of the best singers I’ve ever had the pleasure to sing with!

Voice Views: And, obviously, you can’t talk about song choice, but is there a side of your artistry you haven’t gotten to display yet that you hope to in coming rounds?

Roderick: Not really. I think the songs that I’ve sang so far have touched on the different sides of my voice. I’m actually really lucky the way the songs came out!

See also …
Meet Roderick Chambers
Roberick talks about his blind audition