by Todd Betzold

There have been some truly inspiring and emotional stories that have come along with the amazing voices of the singers on The Voice. Erin Willett has one of those stories. We watched the journey she took up to her battle rounds and her Dad's struggle with cancer. Even with his passing, Erin has remained strong and has pushed through to make it to the next round of live shows after America voted her through last week for Team Blake. Today, we spoke with Erin in an exclusive interview about her father, possible Broadway inspirations and much more.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: What made you want to initially audition for The Voice?
A. Erin: My two friends, Rachel and Gabby, were auditioning...not that I didn't have any intention of doing it, but I kinda tagged along because I knew it was going to be a fun day and I think because I put so little expectation on it, it made me not as nervous or second-guess myself and I had a good time and I performed in front of the producer and it went from there. I think the great thing about this show is it stays true to what the music industry should be...it's about the voice. I mean, it does change into something else, but I think that it's really important that people shine as artists and they do this in the show and that's really cool. A lot of times it can be stale and dry in these types of competitions, but I think that The Voice keeps it really fresh and they really put a lot of effort into it and they put a lot of money into it, but I think they get a lot out of it as well.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: What's it been like working with Blake as a coach?
A. Erin: I think that the coolest thing about Blake is that he's just a real person. He doesn't have a façade...what you see is what you get and that's the really cool thing having him coaching us is that he never really b.s' us...he is always straight-up. If he doesn't like something, he's going to tell you and if he does say he loves it, he does because if he didn't he would tell you that. I just think it's really cool to have a genuine coach like that...it makes things easier and a lot less stressful.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: We've all seen the journey you've gone through with your Dad and his passing right before your battle round. So, what's it been like going through this all without him at your side cheering you on?
A. Erin: It's been difficult...it's been an adjustment. Of course, he's been there all my life as a cheerleader whether I am singing or dancing or on top of the honor roll, so that's kind of a thing I struggle with in my personal life, but this is such a new experience and opportunity and I've never done anything like this. I have my Mom and I have my brother and I have a crazy support system of family and friends and even the contestants on the show. The artists here, especially now because we are dwindling down to such small numbers...we're all just getting really close and we've kind of become a support system for each other because at the end of the day when one person has a bad day and you're there for them, when you have a bad day you know that they're going to be right there for you. It's a crazy experience just because I have never done anything like this, but I am always trying to stay true to myself and remembering my father isn't here anymore and everyday is not guaranteed. I really have to come from a place of wanting this as much for him as I want it for myself. In doing that, I feel fulfilled no matter how far I get. For me, this has been the most difficult mental challenge I've ever had in my entire life and especially to get past the battle rounds during that was incredible and to not just fall apart on stage was a feat in itself. Now, as weird as this may sound, but to be able to go home and come back refreshed and not have all that pressure on me of worrying about what's going on at home, I get to come to the live shows and it's so much easier because I've gone through the hard part already. It's really nice to just be myself and have fun and be the person I wanted to be at the beginning of this competition. It's really refreshing to have all the support from family and friends and the other artists on the show.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: What was it like getting up on that stage performing live on The Voice for the very first time in front of millions of people?
A. Erin: It's definitely nerve-wracking, but we had so many damn rehearsals (laughs) that it kind of just becomes muscle memory at that point. I honestly blacked out...I don't even know what happened. I was really relying on the muscle memory to get me through because there's so much going on...there's this huge crowd because the crowd increases by twice as many from the battle rounds and then you're live and you can't mess up and for me, there were dancers and props and cameras and background singers. It was a big production I had to step-up to, but I think the nerves got soaked into the vain of just doing really well. I'm just grateful everything worked out the way it did...it was just really cool to pull of that performance.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: You had a lot of theatrics going on during your performance...a big production and I loved it. I can see you on Broadway. Is that something you've ever considered?
A. Erin: Yes, I've spoken about that with other people...I love musicals. I'm not the best actor (laughs). I'm a good singer, but I kind of have to hone my acting skills...that's kind of my downside. Personally, it's never something I deleted from my options, so we'll see.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: Is there anything you'd like to say to your fans (new or old)?
A. Erin: I just want to thank them...at the end of the day, they were the ones that got me through to the next round and that means they want to see more of me and I'm just as excited to perform for them as I am for myself. It's just really cool to have people behind you...one of my last shows I performed before coming on the show, I played for one person...it's incredible to see how far I've come in less than a year. People being so supportive in what I'm doing and they connect with me as a human being and it's just amazing...I just can't say thank you enough, honestly. They're making my dream come true.

The Voice airs on Mondays at 8/7c and Tuesdays at 9/8c on NBC.

(Images courtesy of NBC)

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