by Todd Betzold

 

Amanda Brown was "eliminated" during the Battle Rounds of The Voice when Cee Lo Green picked Trevin Hunte over Amanda. Thanks to the saves this season, Adam Levine swiped her up and she made it all the way to the Top 6 before being eliminated last night. It's been quite a ride for Amanda, but it only goes up from here. Today she talked with RealityWanted in an exclusive interview about what's next for her, working with Adam Levine and much more.

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: You had a rollercoaster ride this season with a lot of ups and downs. What has this experience meant to you?
A. Amanda: It was a definite learning experience. I learned to stick with my initial gut and not give in and to stay true to what I feel is right and representative of who I am as an artist. It was definitely a learning experience.

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: Looking back on this week, is there anything you would have done differently that would have connected with the audience a little bit more?
A. Amanda: No, actually I feel really proud of my performances and the decisions that I made were great. People generally got to see me sing and understand the type of singer that I am and people go to definitely see my gift via the song selections. I don't think I would have changed anything.

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: What has it been like going from a backup singer to front and center on The Voice?
A. Amanda: I was singing background, but I was singing at a club in New York for the past two years. People know about the background part of my life, but most recently I have been singing at a club in the city. It was a bit different because I was front and center and kind of had to help carry a show. I think that is really where I was able to build my chops, so to speak. Having to sing four hours, two nights a week in front of a loud crowd. It is very difficult to maintain their attention if you're not giving it every second of the show. For me, it felt like that was one of the best learning experiences for me as a performer and as a solo artist for being able to hold the attention of a live audience.

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: Adam Levine stole you away during the Battle Rounds. What was it like working with him this season?
A. Amanda: It has been amazing. I learned so much from him and he has been so supportive. After I found out I was going to be leaving, he came up to me and said he is totally not worried about me and I have an amazing career ahead of me. This was a great opportunity for people to see you but this is not the end of the line. He always encouraged me to be myself. It's not easy being an African-American Latino from the Bronx that sings soulful, alternative rock music. You are definitely faced with some opposition. Either they are not ready for it or they need some warming up, but it definitely isn't the easiest route to take as an artist. He definitely was supportive of that and being myself and going with my gut.

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: What was your favorite moment this season?
A. Amanda: I had so many awesome moments on the show. "Dream On" was a really cool, fun moment for me. The audience's reaction was incredible. One of the more personal connections with the music that I had was when I sang Grace Potter's "Stars" on the show. Sticking by that song and it was less known than other songs sung on these types of shows before. Having the reaction that it had on iTunes and on social media, people were really moved by it and touched by that performance and the music and the lyrics. For me, that was a more personal, awesome moment. The last two performances I had on the show I am really proud of as well.

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: With only four singers left now, does anyone stand out to you as a possible winner?
A. Amanda: I am definitely going to be rooting for all of them to the very end because I have become friends with all of them. It's almost like pegging your brother up against your sister and asking who is your favorite because we all have become this really close family. Trevin, Melanie and Cassadee were in my room last night and having a pizza party and kind of just having fun. That is the kind of relationship we have built. It's really hard to say I am rooting for one person. I really am rooting for all of them.

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: I know it hasn't been that long since you were eliminated, but what's next for you?
A. Amanda: I was writing and recording my album before I got on the show, so I am going to continue and finish that and start performing. I am actually talking to a couple people about doing a fun holiday show in L.A. and then I am doing another show in New York at Rockwood on December 22. Then I will be in Ireland for Christmas and come back and do more music. It's going to be writing, recording and performing.

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: You have a lot of fans out there supporting you. Anything you want to say to them reading this article?
A. Amanda: Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for the support and encouragement from all of the fans that I have received from being on the show. It has been absolutely incredible. There is no way I could have made it this far without their votes and support, so I really owe all of the success I have had so far to them, so thank you from the bottom of my heart.

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: Anything to add?
A. Amanda: Stay tuned for some more cool music.

 

 

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

 

(Image courtesy of NBC)

 

 

Follow Todd on Twitter @TopicalTodd