Rowan Grace Is Just Getting Started
Photos courtesy of NBC & The Voice. Collage made by creativemaniac.net.
Season 22 of NBC’s The Voice just wrapped up this past week. The 22nd season of the hit singing competition reality series brought its audience a boatload of talented singers and blossoming artists. I spoke with Team Blake’s Rowan Grace about her journey on the show and her future career as an artist. Hope you enjoy our interview!
Here is my interview with The Voice season 22 contestant Rowan Grace.
Q1: Thank you so much for letting me interview you today. I want to start by getting to know you so tell me a little about yourself. What sparked your passion for singing?
A: When I was younger, my Dad was a drummer in a band and he would take me to his rehearsals all the time. Every-time I would go, I would only watch the singer, and it made me so excited. I would start singing around the house all of the time like I was Hannah Montana. My dad saw that spark and passion that I had for singing, and started to get me gigs singing around town, and that’s when I fell in love with every aspect of being an artist, and knew I needed to do that for the rest of my life.
Q2: What do you love the most about singing and performing?
A: I love the storytelling that you convey when performing and I love connecting with the audience. I get such a rush when performing because not only is it fun to sing on a stage, but it is so fun to see the audience and them having fun with you. Being able to connect with people you don’t know through music is so inspiring and it’s what I love most about music.
Q3: What made you want to audition for The Voice?
I watched that show a lot when I was little and I always thought it would be cool to be on that show. Then when I turned 13 my Dad asked me if I wanted to audition, and I did. Then for the past few years I would send in some audition videos, and last year was the one that clicked! I love the platform the show gives artists, and I always thought it would be amazing to learn from people who are currently in the industry I want to be in, like Blake, Gwen, Camilla, and John.
Q4: When you got the call saying that you got chosen to audition for The Voice, what was your reaction?
A: I was in the car with my friends prom dress shopping when I got a call from an unknown number. When I answered the phone and the woman told me she was from The Voice I put the phone on speaker. Then she told me that I was chosen to be on the show I immediately started crying and thanking her so much. My friends were freaking out and were so excited for me. Then, I called my mom and dad and they cried and told me how proud of me they were. It was an amazing moment that I will never forget.
Q5: You sang Olivia Rodrigo’s song, traitor, for your blind audition. What made you choose this song to sing in front of Blake Shelton, John Legend, Camila Cabello, and Gwen Stefani?
A: I feel like Olivia Rodrigo’s career resembles the kind of career I want in music, and I feel like that song represented me as an artist and the type of songs I would want to make. I’m so glad I was able to sing this song, because I truly feel like it was the perfect song for my blind audition.
Q6: What made you choose Gwen as your coach? What was it like having both Gwen and Blake as coaches?
A: I love Gwen so much and I specifically love No Doubt and their music. I also feel like Gwen really believed in me and saw something in me, and was really fighting for me to be on her team. Having both Gwen and Blake as coaches was such an honor. They are both so talented and have been in the industry for a while, and I learned so much for the both of them. It was so cool to have mom and then dad!
Q7: From your blind audition, I could see that you have a strong support system. Is that right?
A: I have the best support system ever. My mom, dad, grandparents, and the rest of my family has been so amazing and they are the reason I am able to experience all of these amazing things. I love them so much and I can’t imagine experiencing these amazing things without them.
Q8: What was it like behind the scenes? It must take a village to put on this show.
A: It was so much fun behind the scenes putting together the show and seeing everything come together. This show takes a village, and I’m so grateful for everyone who works on this show, and help make it the amazing show that it is.
Q9: You made it to the top 10 on the show. You should be proud of what you accomplished. Do you feel that way?
A: I am so proud of myself and how far I made it on the show. Going into the blinds I didn’t even think that I would get a chair turn, so to know that I was able to make it to the top ten makes me very proud of myself and my talent.
Q10: You had to perform for Blake, John, Camila, and Gwen every week, right? Can you tell me what that experience was like for you?
A: It was nerve-racking because all I wanted to do was make them proud, especially Blake and Gwen. Their opinions matter a lot to me and I just wanted to prove that I deserved to me there. When I was eliminated Blake came to talk to me and told me that he was really proud, and that was all I needed. It helped me feel content with leaving the show and proud of myself for all I accomplished on the show.
Q11: Did you get anxious before you performed? If you did, what did you do to help calm your nerves?
A: I got very anxious before shows, so what I did was dance. Before the show they would play a bunch of fun party music and me and some other contestants would just dance away our nerves. It was a way to remind me that this is an amazing experience meant to be fun. It helped calm down my nerves, and turn them into excitement.
Q12: Did you create a bond with your fellow teammates: bodie, Brayden Lape, and Bryce Leatherwood?
A: I was a little nervous coming into the lives on a new team, but bodie, Brayden, and Bryce welcomed me with open arms. I feel like the four of us created a special bond that will last us a lifetime, and I love them so much!
Q13: What is your advice to an aspiring artist who wants to audition for The Voice?
A: My advice would be to go out their and be yourself. Be proud of who you are as an individual and as an artist and that will shine through. You don’t have to be perfect, you just have to be you!
Q14: What kind of genre(s) do you want to dabble in as an artist?
A: I feel like I don’t fit in one specific genre, I have a couple that I take inspiration from. I would say pop, alternative pop, and singer songwriter, are genres I fit into the most. I also align with indie pop!
Q15: Tell me 3 artists who inspire you and tell me why they inspire you.
A: I am inspired by The Beatles, Billie Eilish, and Adele. I grew up listening to The Beatles, also specifically Paul McCartney and George Harrison. They inspired me a lot in terms of writing music, and I think the way I write comes from their inspiration. Billie Eilish inspires me because she started at a young age with big aspirations, like myself. How she’s grown into the artist she is today is really inspiring to me. Adele inspires me because she is just an all around amazing artist. Her voice is out of this world, and her personality as an artist is amazing. She inspires me to be myself and not change my personality for anybody.
Q16: What is your advice to someone who wants to be an artist?
A: My advice is to stay true to who you are as an artist. Make the music you want to make, and not what other people force you to make! This is your career and your story, no one else’s, so always stay true to yourself!
Q17: You’re still in high school, right? Do you have a plan for after you graduate? Do you want to go to college?
A: I want to go to a music college but who knows when I will go. I’m just going to go with the flow because who knows where I will be in a year. Luckily college is always there and will be there whenever I am ready to go!
Q18. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A: I see myself touring around the U.S. and just continuing to release music! I’m so excited to see where the future takes me!
Q19: This isn’t a question but I know you’re going to go far in the music industry. It blows my mind that you’re only 16 years old. You’re so talented. You have an amazing voice and stage presence. I can’t wait to see your music career take off. Thank you so much for letting me interview you.
A: I had a blast. Thank you so much, this was fun!!
Please follow Rowan Grace on Instagram here.
