Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Zan Fiskum, 22, of Seattle, Wash., performs during her blind audition on The Voice Season 18. (NBC Photo)

Guess what? She did it with a song she’d never performed before.

And she did it after submitting an audition tape to the show on little more than a whim.

By the time the 22-year-old from Seattle finished singing Maggie Rogers “Light On,” she had three of the four Voice coaches facing in her direction.

She opted to join Team John Legend. Here’s what Zan — short for Suzannah — told Voice Views about her blind audition experience.

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

Zan: I very randomly decided to send in an audition tape while at home and thought “why not?!” I had a feeling nothing would end up happening from it but just thought to give it a shot. It’s pretty crazy that I’m actually on the show because I didn’t expect anything to come from it, but I’m so happy!

Voice Views: Why did you choose “Light On” for your audition song? What’s your performance history with that song (for instance, is it one you’ve played often)?

Zan: I’ve never played ”Light On” before, but the last two years Maggie Rogers has become a HUGE inspiration of mine. I connected with the message and vibe of the song and felt like it was the right one to audition with.

Voice Views: Did you have a coaching preference heading into the blind audition? Why did you decide to go with John Legend as your coach?

Zan: I wanted to have John coach me from the very beginning. I have so much respect for his music, and I’ve been a big fan for a long time. And he’s more than just a great singer, and I want to learn all that I can from him so that I can be too.

Voice Views: You came off as incredibly composed for that blind audition performance. What’s the biggest thing you’d done musically as a solo performer prior to The Voice?

Zan: Well that’s very kind, I was definitely a bit nervous, but at the end of the day I know my identity is greater than a performance. All of my dreams and potential are not riding on one audition, and I think that mindset helped me stay calm and be who I truly am on stage!

Voice Views: And what was that blind audition experience like? You had a chair turn just seconds into that performance.

Zan: The blind auditions brought life to my soul! It was another reminder that it’s what I was made to do. The moment Nick turned it was a sigh of relief for me and when John turned I couldn’t stop smiling.

For more on Zan, the album she hopes to release later this year and her social media links, head here.