by Gina Scarpa

 

When Jesse Campbell took the stage during the season 2 premiere of The Voice for the blind auditions, 42 years of dreaming about success were finally realized. Each of the four judges turned around for him and he choose Christina Aguilera as his mentor. Last week, in the battle rounds, he faced talented gospel singer Anthony Evans and came out on top. As Jesse awaits the upcoming live shows, he spent a little time talking to RealityWanted in an exclusive interview about his journey thus far and his message for fans of The Voice.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Did you watch season 1 of The Voice? What made you try out for season 2?
A. Jesse: Yeah, I did watch season 1. I tried out for season 1 and my thing was that I just had to keep it moving. I felt like something had to break and this was, to me, the best and biggest platform for someone like myself who's been at it for so many years.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: How much thought did you put into your song for the blind auditions?
A. Jesse: I went back and forth. There are a lot of elements that come into play. You have to get approval and afterwards, I just focused on making it as much me as possible in the least amount of time. I was really fortunate to get the song that I did.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: To have all four judges turn around must have made you feel pretty amazing! What was going through your head?
A. Jesse: It WAS amazing! That's what kept coming into my mind and that's what it felt like, to be on that platform. My daughter asked if I was nervous and I said, "You know what? I'm good! It was 42 years in preparation for this platform. It's a new opportunity and I'm going to do what I do, baby girl." She was glad to hear that and that's what happened. When they turned, I was like, "Wow, who am I going to choose?" I even lost my thought in song and then I was like "Hey hey hey, focus buddy, before you jack up the words!"

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Were you planning on going with Christina all along if she turned around or was there something she said that made you pick her?
A. Jesse: I went there in hopes of working with Adam. When Christina said that she would work hard for me and said she would fight for me, that's what really stuck out. I feel like Christina has such a versatile and soulful voice, and she could really relate to me. I really asked God, "Who should I go with?" and I've learned to hear a voice through thought.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Were you worried at all when Christina pitted you against Anthony Evans for the battle round?
A. Jesse: Oh yeah! I allowed the process to get into my head and I was really, really nervous. Anthony is loved by a lot of people and he has a huge following, probably a lot bigger than mine. He's a great singer so I felt like this is reality tv and either one of us could've gone home or moved forward. I felt like, "Let me just rest assured that I do what I do and if Anthony can do what I do better, then he deserves to be there." Anthony was great! That's the part of the competition that I did not care for. I don't do what I do to harm anyone, to send anyone home. It's just the opposite. I want to draw, attract people, inspire. I'm glad that part is over.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Well, we're a few short weeks away from the live shows and I was wondering what kind of artist you see yourself as.
A. Jesse: I can pretty much just sum it up by saying that I want to be an artist that makes heart-centered, universal music with soul. I am here to inspire the world, to assist humanity in some way by what God has given me. First and foremost, it's my voice. I'm here to inspire.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What do you want to say to your fans and fans of The Voice?
A. Jesse: Our stories are so different and yet, alike. It's those stories that make us one. We need to love one another. You never know what people are going through. My family had no idea and didn't even believe my story and that's okay because they weren't there when I had to sleep in the car. Give people the benefit of the doubt, give them the space to live their life. Keep moving in the direction that you desire to be in. Eventually, you'll get there or be a lot closer to where you want to be. You can follow me at jessecampbell.com where you can see all my social media links. The last thing is that you can get the music that I've sung and will sing on The Voice on iTunes.

 

The Voice airs Mondays at 8/7c on NBC.

 

(Image courtesy of NBC)

 

 

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