Auburn University at Montgomery junior Jerome Godwin\’s vocal skills charmed a new set of judges on NBC’s “The Voice” to advance in the popular singing competition.
His appearance on “The Voice” was his second attempt to get the show’s judges to turn their chairs to select him after failing to get a chair turn during Season 19 of the singing competition, Godwin said.
“I tried out for Season 19 of The Voice, but did not get a chair turn. John Legend was a coach that season, and he told me personally that he would love for me to return,” Godwin said. “So I did!”
Godwin, of Ashford, Alabama, is featured as a contestant on Season 23 of “The Voice,” which premiered Monday, March 6, at 7 p.m. on NBC.
“I went into this season wanting Chance the Rapper and Niall Horan to turn their chairs for me,” Godwin said. “I’m hoping these two coaches turn since it is their first season, and I am intrigued by how they will navigate the competition.”
While this season of “The Voice” marks his second time performing on the four-time Emmy Award-winning singing competition series, he wasn’t any less nervous, Godwin said.
“The audition experience was very stressful, but I enjoyed every bit of it,” he said. “I spent a couple of weeks with vocal coaches and The Voice band to perfect the song. I was very comfortable when it was time to audition for the coaches.”
Godwin traveled alone to Los Angeles for his initial audition on “The Voice,” but had the support of both his mother, Donna Godwin, and aunt, LaToya Peoples, during the show’s trademark Blind Auditions. During the auditions, contestants sing a song of their choice before four judges — Chance the Rapper, Niall Horan, Kelly Clarkson and Blake Shelton — who listen with their backs turned to artists. Judges push a button and rotate their chairs to select and show artists who have impressed them with their voice.
“I was blessed to have my mother and aunt in the audience supporting me,” said Godwin, who isn’t able to share his song choice before his performance airs, but noted he looks up to music artists such as Kim Burrell, John Legend, Brandy, and Todd Dulaney.
If you have exciting news to share with the Central Alabama business community, send your press releases (and high-quality images) to [email protected].
