by Gina Scarpa

 

When Jess Kellner hit the stage for the blind auditions on The Voice this season, her performance of Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling In Love" got the attention of new coaches Usher and Shakira.  Though Adam said she sounded too much like Adele, the other two coaches couldn't disagree more.  Jess decided to go with Usher and later defeated teammate Taylor Beckham in a battle over the song "You Know I'm No Good".  Before she faces her next challenge, the knockout round, we got to know the Austin hair stylist a little bit more and talk about her time on The Voice.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Tell us a little bit about what you were doing, musically, prior to The Voice.
A. Jess: Well, for the last year, I've had a band in Austin and we've been performing at different clubs and stuff. Before that, I sang in a church choir and started getting solos and that's when my career changed into me being more of a frontman.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Did you watch previous seasons of the show and was there someone in particular who pushed you to audition?
A. Jess: I actually watched the third season and that was my first season to watch. One of my producers was the one who said I should try out. He said he could get me an audition and I was like, "Why not?" It ended up working out and I wanted it a lot more once I got through the first audition.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: How did you keep your nerves under control during the blind auditions, singing in front of the four coaches?
A. Jess: I just remember really feeling relaxed because I couldn't see them! I knew they were sitting there but it was like, I don't know! You get out of your own head and pretend they're not sitting there so you can get your words out. Once they turn around, it becomes a reality! It's really hard to sing when you're in front of them. I just know my heart started beating really fast.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Adam made the comment that you sounded a little too similar to Adele for his taste. Do you get that comparison a lot?
A. Jess: Yeah, it depends on where I'm at and what song I'm singing. I have heard that before. But at the same time, I've heard, "Absolutely not, you don't sound like Adele," which is what I like to hear. I think it's the way I pronounce my words.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What's Usher been like to work with as a coach thus far?
A. Jess: At first, I was a little intimidated by him and I didn't really know how to handle being in a room with him. He just has a really strong presence and it made me be like really shy and not myself at first. He's just the sweetest, down to earth person. He listens to what you have to say and he takes this very seriously. He really wants to win! He breaks songs down, line by line, and he wants to make you the best you that you can be.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What was your approach to the battle round and how did you handle going up against your teammate, Taylor Beckham?
A. Jess: When Taylor and I found out we were battling each other, it kinda sucked because I like her voice a lot. I really liked her blind audition a lot. She became like a little sister to me. Our relationship was really fun, it was like sibling status, and we just helped each other out in a really honest way. Going into the battle round, we just wanted it to be a performance, not necessarily battling each other. We thought it would be a better performance if we went into it together and not trying to step on each other's toes.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Do you remember the first thought that went through your mind after Usher said that you won?
A. Jess: Yeah, it was, "I can't believe he just said my name!" I was so expecting to go home after hearing what the judges had to say. I thought I was done and I was preparing to get outta there. I was completely shocked.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What is your plan or strategy as you move on to the next round?
A. Jess: I think just really being true to who I am as an artist and picking songs that show that off in the best way! Also, being real, not being somebody else on stage or on camera so that people in America can connect with me and my story.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What's been the best part of being on The Voice so far?
A. Jess: I honestly have to say the people that I've met. All the contestants on the show, we've become a family. We're around each other 24/7 and have been for a long time. We are our own little family. It's hard to see people leave but I've made friends for life.

 

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

 

(Image courtesy of NBC)

 

Follow Gina @ginascarpa