After Jordan Smith’s audition on The Voice, judge Adam Levine told him he was the “most important person” to be on the show.
Smith, a Lee University student at the time, was raised by two musicians and began singing and playing drums at church. “I think our family’s love of music and how musical our home wasâ we would sing in the car together, sing in the shower and when I went to bed at nightâ it was just kind of like a very important part of our life as a family,” he told the Lexington Herald-Leader.
Smith’s first public performance was a piano recital. When he got older, he later joined his high school’s band and choir. While the singer was never bullied, he does admit he had a hard time dealing with the societal expectations placed on him. His voice is very high and feminine, and his interests led him down paths that weren’t generally considered masculine. Still, the young man stayed true to himself, his passions ultimately leading him to The Voice stage.
Upon graduating, Smith attended Lee University after it was suggested to him by his grandfather. “He knew that I was becoming really interested in music… and he knew that it was a Church of God school, and I’m a Christian, so that is something I was interested in too,” Smith said. While at Lee University, Smith became a member of the school’s premiere touring group, ultimately becoming a featured soloist, section leader, and vice president of the internationally-traveling ensemble.
Smith had auditioned for the show’s eighth season but didn’t make it. Later, producers contacted him and suggested he try again.
At the time, Smith was in his last year of university. He would have to take time off to do the show. “That was a huge sign to me that it was something I should do,” he said.
“I felt like it was a door that God had opened, because I didn’t go seeking it out.”
For his audition, Smith chose to sing the song “Chandelier” by Sia.
The song, whose lyrics describe a party girl trying to leave behind her alc0holic ways, isn’t the typical male selection, but “it was a song that I knew if I could pull it off and do it well, it would be impressive,” Smith said.
When Smith begins to sing, the judges don’t immediately turn their chairs. However, by 20 seconds in, they’ve all given him nods of approval. At this point, the camera hasn’t shown him at all.
When Smith hits the chorus, Blake Shelton is the first to turn his chair with Pharrell and Gwen Stefani quickly following suit.
As their chairs spin, Gwen is immediately knocked off her feet. “What?!” she exclaims in disbelief, throwing her hands to her chest. She had been convinced she was listening to a woman!
Pharell simply nods at her with a confirming smile, seemingly impressed by what he sees. Smith later told the Lexington Herald-Leader:
“On the show, they really highlighted the fact that I don’t look like I sound, which is OK with me, because that’s the message that I want to get across: that it’s okay to be different than people expect you to be and not fit the mold.”
By the end of Smith’ s incredible performance, he’s convinced all four judges to turn their chairs, ultimately earning himself a standing ovation for the spectacular audition.
Smith ultimately went on to win the show, being coached by singer Adam Levine who also struggled with issues being a male with a high voice. During his time on The Voice, every one of Smith’s performances cracked the Top 10 on the iTunes singles chart.
“Jordan is the best singer in the history of The Voice.”
“The diversity on Jordan is awesome. It’s a pleasure to just listen to him sing. He has God’s vocal cords.”
“I actually cried when I heard him sing this! I’m a grown man.”
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