Everybody copes with tragedy differently. Some people give up hope, falling apart and never getting back up.
Others grieve and take the pain, ultimately turning it into the strength that guides them. Christian Cuevas is one of the latter.
When Christian’s father Julio Cuevas passed away, the tragedy nearly broke him.
According to the singer’s NBC biography, he stopped singing outside of church and decided not to go to college as a result of his father’s death. Working a job at Guitar Center, the young man made it a priority to take care of his mother instead.
Shortly after finding out his dad was ill with liver cancer, Christian had auditioned for The Voice but didn’t make it very far. “I actually didn’t pass my first audition and it was definitely heartbreaking,” he told Orlando Weekly. “I didn’t think I was ever going to do it again.”
After grieving the death of his father, however, he decided to audition once more.
Taking the stage during the 11th season of The Voice, the 20-year-old chose a Michael Bolton song for the occasion.
Written in 1983 by Doug James and Michael Bolton, “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You” is a powerful ballad discussing the loss of someone loved. Initially, it was supposed to be recorded by the duo Air Supply— but when Clive Davis, the president of Arista records, asked Bolton for permission to change the lyrics, the songwriter refused.
As a result, the ballad was subsequently recorded by Laura Branigan in 1983, becoming the first big song writing hit for both Doug James and Bolton. When Bolton recorded his own version five years later, it was extremely successful. The release marked the turning point of Bolton’s career, earning him recognition not only as a songwriter but as a talented performer, as well.
As the initial notes of the ballad begin to play, the room is dark and still.
The judges’ chairs are ominously pointed away from Christian as he sings the first line of the iconic song: “I could hardly believe it when I heard the news today…”
And that one line is all it takes for judges Blake Shelton and Adam Levine to whip their chairs around.
Christian’s voice is powerful, raw, and emotional, earning him cheers and appreciation from the crowd. As he sings, he leaves the entire room mesmerized, wearing his heart on his sleeve for the entirety of the song.
But is it enough to sway the other judges?
Christian later went on to become a fan favorite. Comments on the video read:
“I love this audition! He has a beautiful voice and knows how to convey so much emotion!”
“He has an amazing voice.
“Goosebumps.”
Watch the incredible performance below!
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