by Todd Betzold

Last week on The Voice, Juliet Simms blew the coaches and America away with her performance of 'Roxanne." She owned the stage in such a cool, rocker kind of way that America just had to vote for her and she moved on to the next round of live shows. We talked to Juliet today in an exclusive interview about her experiences so far on The Voice.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: What made you want to audition for The Voice this season?
A. Juliet: I never really thought of doing a singing competition show...just because I had been touring so long and going about this the hard way and I felt like it would be sacrificing my integrity to do it, but after I watched the first season and I saw how different it was from any other singing show...something drew me to it and told me to go with it, try it, check it out. So, I kind of took it one stage at a time and now all of a sudden I'm here in the Top 16...it's crazy.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: What's it been like working with Cee Lo as a coach?
A. Juliet: Fantastic. I feel so fortunate to get to work with somebody so successful in the industry. It's been nothing but a delight.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: There seems to be this love among the singers for each other as we see them cheering and rooting each other one, but then the live shows come on and you have to compete against each other. So, what's that like for you all?
A. Juliet: It's so crazy, we were just talking about this...Team Cee Lo was at lunch yesterday and we're all sitting and chatting and relaxing and we've all become so close and I think it was Cheesa that brought it up. She said it's so crazy the camaraderie between this team and how much we love each other and how Monday's going to roll around and we're basically...it's like another stage of battle rounds. It sucks...Cheesa's my roommate...she's been my roommate in this competition for half the time...ugh, it sucks.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: After last week's performance, you got some great feedback from all the coaches, including Adam saying it's the best performance he's seen so far this season. What's it like hearing this feedback from the coaches, who are big, successful names in the music industry?
A. Juliet: You know, hearing that gave me a whole new...there's such great singers in the competition, so it's hard not to get intimidated and it gave me that feeling of wow, maybe I could go further in this competition. Each stage, everybody is like this is it...I could be done right here. When he said that, I was like I'm not done yet...it's cool.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: Has any other singer stood out to you in particular this season?
A. Juliet: Jamar (Rogers)...definitely. He's so sick...he's incredible. I really loved Naia (Kete)...I was sad to see her go.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: What has been your favorite moment so far?
A. Juliet: (pause) Damn, I was going to tell you something cool, but I forgot I can't talk about it...which is a big fat tease (laughs). My favorite was the "Roxanne" performance for sure.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: Is there anything you want to say to your fans out there supporting you?
A. Juliet: Oh my gosh, yes...thank you guys so much. I love you...without you, I would not be, so thank you from the bottom of my heart.

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

(Image courtesy of NBC)

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