by Gina Scarpa

 

As Mackenzie Bourg performed his own take on Foster The People's "Pumped Up Kicks" during the blind auditions of The Voice, the chairs were not turning around. Just as he started to lose hope, Cee Lo pushed his button and claimed him for his team. The teen's look was compared to both Justin Bieber and Harry Potter, and now prepares for the upcoming battle round. We talked to Mackenzie today to find out which comparison he preferred, how he feels about Cee Lo as his coach, and his strategy to stay in the competition.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: When did you first know that you wanted to be a singer and what made you choose The Voice to audition for?
A. Mackenzie: About four or five years ago, my brother had started playing guitar. I would hear it every day and I would get really antsy to want to do something with him. Occasionally, I would go in there and mess around. It got to the point where it got serious. And I chose The Voice because it's not a singing show that's going to take advantage of people that don't have the talent right off the bat. They're there to help, they're not there to cut people when they're down. If I wouldn't have gotten a chair to turn around, I would've gotten some of the best constructive criticism.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: How would you describe the level of nerves you felt before stepping on stage for the blind audition?
A. Mackenzie: I wouldn't say I was nervous when I first walked up there, just because I was already on cloud nine just being there. Halfway through the song when no one turned around, I started to prepare myself to be like, "It's been fun, thanks for letting me play."

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Your version of "Pumped Up Kicks" was really cool - how did you decide on that song?
A. Mackenzie: It was funny actually. I had gone through two or three other songs and they were close to fitting my style, but didn't represent me as an artist. I chose it because I wanted something that was current and fun, and then at the same time, something I could throw my own vibe into.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: It seems like some of the contestants, or their families, have the goal of getting all four coaches to turn around. Was it your goal, and how did you feel when you saw Cee Lo's chair turn towards you?
A. Mackenzie: No, I didn't get the whole goal. You don't get extra points, or an easier battle round! It's not like you get to sing more or something like that. My goal the whole time was just for one chair to turn around. More than one just seemed greedy for me. I didn't feel like I needed more than one. I don't remember having any emotions that whole day after that! From when he turned around and I talked to him afterwards, I didn't know what to say or anything.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What do you like most about Cee Lo?
A. Mackenzie: The thing I like most about him is that just like me, he's crazy and just like me, he's always thinking out of the box. That by itself was enough for me to be completely overjoyed.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Now the real question. Are you more Justin Bieber or Harry Potter?
A. Mackenzie: Definitely the Harry Potter comparison! I was already a huge fan of Harry Potter regardless. I never got that before Blake said it. I would much rather be compared to a fictional character than another artist.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What's your strategy for the upcoming battle round?
A. Mackenzie: My strategy is to do the same thing I did in the first round - to bring that energy, originality, and uniqueness that I have. I'm going to try to connect with everyone and make sure everyone has fun.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What kind of artist do you see yourself as?
A. Mackenzie: I see myself as an organic kind of pop artist, almost along the lines of Jason Mraz or Bruno Mars. I definitely wanna keep the acoustic guitar in there, that's kind of my forte.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What do you want to say to your fans?
A. Mackenzie: I would just like to say thank you for all of the continuous support on Twitter, Facebook, all that crazy stuff! A day doesn't go by where I don't try to read every single thing that is sent to me. It's amazing to see that I have that kind of support.

 

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

 

(Image courtesy of NBC)

 

Follow Gina @ginascarpa