Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Toneisha Harris from Salisbury, Md., performs during her blind audition on The Voice Season 18. (NBC Photo)

And she made the most of her second opportunity, turning four chairs with a pitch-perfect performance of Foreigner’s “I Want to Know What Love Is.”

Kelly Clarkson called her performance “a blessing” and Toneisha received praise from the other three coaches as well.

She opted to join Team Blake Shelton for Season 18.

Here’s what Toneisha told Voice Views about that decision and her blind audition.

Voice Views: How did you wind up auditioning for The Voice Season 18 and what prompted you to do it?

Toneisha: I have always been an avid fan of The Voice and was supposed to audition in 2011 but my son was diagnosed with A.L.L. (acute leukemia lymphoma) and I chose to care for my son! I hoped that the opportunity would come back around if it was meant to be and now years later, I received the chance to audition. This is my redemption opportunity!! My husband and sons encouraged me to do it!

Voice Views: Why did you choose “I Want to Know What Love Is” for your audition song? What’s your performance history with that song (for instance, is it one you’ve played often)?

Toneisha: Foreigner is one of my favorite bands! I have performed “I Want To Know What Love Is” several times — in clubs, at shows, in church!! When I had the opportunity to perform this song as my audition, I was excited and felt it would best describe my journey as I can identify with the lyrics.

Voice Views: Did you have a coaching preference heading into the blind audition? And why did you decide to join Team Blake?

Toneisha: I did not have a coach preference gong into the audition. I wanted to trust my gut in the moment as I could see myself with either of the coaches!! When the coaches were talking to me, after my audition, something about Blake’s pitch really struck me. He became so sincere and once he called me “Sis” I was sold!!! #teamshakenblake all the way!

Voice Views: What was that blind audition experience like? You received absolutely amazing feedback from all of the coaches.

Toneisha: My blind audition was so exciting and surreal! I honestly wasn’t sure that moment would ever happen for me and to finally be in it was emotional and amazing! It almost felt like an out of body experience! I got to sing for Grammy award winning coaches and millions of viewers and they loved it…they loved me! It’s unbelievable and pretty indescribable.

For more on Toneisha, her background in music and her social media links, head here.