by Todd Betzold

 

She's got a lot of spunk and a great personality and that shines through on the stage for Charlotte Sometimes of The Voice. She battled a jaw disease as a teenager and was told she would never sing again, but that never stopped her from dreaming and last week she used that battle strength to take down Lex Land to move onto the live shows for Team Blake. Today, we got an exclusive interview with Charlotte as she talked about her experiences so far on The Voice and a special message to her fans.

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: What made you want to audition for The Voice?
A. Charlotte: I never thought I would do a reality show, but they kept coming at me from so many different angles and I thought why not...it seems like a great step in the right direction...getting people to know me and new experience and an adventure, so why not.

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: As a child, you had a condition with your jaw. Can you explain that for anyone that might not know about it?
A. Charlotte: When I was 14, I got diagnosed with a jaw disease, it's called condylar resorption...it's when the bones that hold your face together disintegrate. So, between the ages of 14 and 16 my whole face was backwards and my bones disintegrated so much that my face could fracture at any point. If I took a bite of something my face could fall off...no big deal (laughs). I was really lucky I found a surgeon and they took two ribs out and replaced the diseased bones with ribs in my face. Now I have a rib face...luckily I haven't had a remission yet, but I have to keep getting it checked so it doesn't come back.

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: With that, they told you may never sing again and now you're getting ready to do the live shows on The Voice...what has this experience been like for you to go from that to where you are at now?
A. Charlotte: I never looked at it like I would never sing again. I don't think like that and my family...we just don't think like that...we're really positive people, so I just knew that that wasn't an option, so going through this whole process has just been a joy and been another chapter in my journey. I'm having a lot of fun and it just means a lot to me...anything would mean a lot to me, you know, and this is such a big platform to show people what you can do and to be able to share that with all the people who struggle with my disease...to show them they can do whatever they set their minds to. Its big shoes to fill...it gives them hope and I'm happy to be that person for them.

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: You had all four coached turn around during your blind audition. What made you choose Blake over the other coaches?
A. Charlotte: He just has this little twinkle in his eye and he just seems like a lot of fun. I just didn't know how far I was going to get in the competition and I just wanted to have fun and learn and I just thought he would be the perfect person to do that with.

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: What has it been like working with him so far this season?
A. Charlotte: It has been so much fun...I couldn't tell you enough how much fun it's been. It's a really stressful process to be competing on television, so he just makes it really easy. He makes sure that you're having fun and he checks up on ya. I've just been having a great time and I didn't think I would be having this much fun. I thought it would be a lot crazier and that's all because of Blake.

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: He brought in Kelly Clarkson as a mentor for you. What was that like working with her during your battle round?
A. Charlotte: Working with Kelly was just a blast. Kelly's been a huge support and she really got me and understood where I was coming from and got me as an artist and as a human being, so we really connected. I mean, how cool is it to have one of the most successful pop artists that they think you are hilarious and that they love you...not bad, I'll take it. No one can take that away from me...it's mine forever (laughs).

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: Exactly...I mean she also went through kind of the same process going through the singing competition, so very relatable, so I think that's awesome for you to be able to experience that with her.
A. Charlotte: What a sweetheart...what a cool person. She's so classy and full of wise words...I love her. I would love to kick back and have some tequila with her (laughs).

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: I follow her on Twitter and I feel the same way...not gonna lie.
A. Charlotte: Let's all get together, do some shots and hang out (laughs).

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: I agree (laughs). You're very outgoing and have a great personality and seem so comfortable on the stage. Do you think that can only benefit you during the live shows?
A: Charlotte: I would like to think so...I have to be confident because if I don't believe in myself no one else will. So, I think it is an advantage...most of the people in the competition are professionals and have been doing this awhile and been performing. Juliet Simms, she's on Team Cee Lo, she and I have been on tour together...we go way back...we dated the same guy (laughs)...we're good friends. I feel really comfortable onstage...I feel more comfortable onstage than I do in real life, so I think that is obviously an advantage but I still get nervous and want to throw-up weeks in advance (laughs).

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: Is there anything you would like to say to your fans that have shown you support during this process?
A. Charlotte: Of course...I just want to say thank you so much to all of them...they've been tremendous and so loyal. For all of my old fans, thank you for sticking with me since 2006, 2008 and just being there for me and knowing who I am and getting me. For all my new fans who get I'm funny and get that I'm coming from a good place who make me all their gifts of sayings, haters shimmy to the left and haters gonna hate (laughs). I just appreciate them...they're so classy. I love that no matter how many people attack me online that they keep it really classy...they never put somebody else down. They kinda just say to each their own and we love Charlotte and leave it at that...I admire that and I hope they continue to be classy and always take the classy road and be the better man.

 

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

 

(Image courtesy of NBC)

 

Follow Todd @tbetzold