by Todd Betzold

One of the standout auditions this season on The Voice came from Cassadee Pope when all four coaches turned around for her. She left her band behind when she tried out for The Voice and now she is trying to make it on her own. She went with Team Blake and was successful in her Battle Round, but with the Knockout Rounds kicking off tonight, it is a brand new game on The Voice. Today she talked with RealityWanted in an exclusive interview about the Knockout Rounds, leaving her band and much more.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: What made you initially try out for The Voice?
A. Cassadee: I had gone solo last August and moved to L.A. and was going to every label's office I had met through the years and played acoustic for people and trying to get people to jump onboard, but nothing was coming of it. In the meantime I got a call to come try out. I actually got a call last season to do it, but I wanted to try this on my own and don't want to jump into something like this yet. The opportunity presented itself again and I couldn't turn it down.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: What made you choose Blake over the other three coaches during your Blind Audition?
A. Cassadee: Before I went into it I always said that Blake would be the coach that I choose just because I like the way he sits back and lets his artists do their thing and then he gives them advice or whatever they may need, but for the most part he kind of just lets you do your thing. I've been doing this for so long that I know what kind of artist I am and I don't really want someone telling me what direction I should go or how to sing differently and all that. I wanted someone to kind of be in my corner rooting me on and not dictating how I sing. I think the other coaches are amazing, but I feel like Blake was the best fit for me. And he called me a superstar, so that was pretty cool.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: What was your strategy going into the battle with Ryan?
A. Cassadee: I wanted both of us to sound great because of the steal. I figured to make this as clean as possible let's just go in there and harmonize well and sound good together. That way both of us could make it. That was my strategy, unfortunately the steals were gone by the time we went, so there was no possibility of both of us staying. I didn't want to go up there and sing like I was trying to out-sing him. I don't really like that and that's not how I really work. If you're sharing a stage with someone you respect the whole industry of duets and try to sound good and not scream at each other. We just took that approach.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: You went solo last year. Are you still in contact with your band and how do they feel about the success you've been having on The Voice?
A. Cassadee: I am in contact with a few more than others, but I got a bunch of texts after the Blind Auditions and a few came from them. That was really cool to see and it's cool to know they are supportive. I think I have always been pretty open and honest about my goal in life. That's to be a huge artist that tours the world and is on the radio and whether that be in a band or solo, it is always something that I wanted. They knew that and I don't feel like I blindsided anyone and they were very supportive.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: During the Battle Round you got to work with Blake Shelton and Michael Buble. What was that like for you?
A. Cassadee: It was cool. I walked in and I had thought about all these different artists and not once did I think of Michael Buble, so that was really cool to see. He was really cool and encouraging. I was kind of timid at first and he kind of brought me out of my shell. Of course there was a lot of hilarious banter that I wish they would have aired because it was so good. Him and Blake have a really good chemistry together and it was cool to be a part of that.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: What is your strategy heading into the Knockout Rounds?
A. Cassadee: It was crazy. We didn't really know what the Knockout Round was because they have never done it before. We had no idea while we were picking our sings that we would be singing against someone else. It should be interesting to see. My strategy was just to beat my last performance and I was pretty excited to sing on my own again and not share the stage with someone and just be me out there and not worry about stepping on someone else's toes.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: What has it been like seeing your Blind Audition and Battle on TV?
A. Cassadee: It's the most bizarre experience ever because I know what happens and I knew what my performances sounded like, but I had no idea of how I would be portrayed or how my story would come together or how they would edit. I was so relieved when I saw it. I was so happy with how they portrayed because they didn't the way my personality came across or who I am. It was very raw and organic and there wasn't a lot of editing that went into it. I was really, really happy with the end result. It's cool to see the old fans come together and rally for me and to see some new fans come into the picture. I'm trying to get the old fans and the new to come together and support me as one. Some of them are getting a little defensive, but I'm trying to keep everyone together. It's awesome. My whole point of doing this was to gain fans and I'm doing that, so it's just a great feeling.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: Anything to say to your fans out there reading this?
A. Cassadee: I love you guys and I'm always being surprised by the continued support and I hope that I don't let anyone down and I make you guys proud. Tune into the Knockouts. They're going to be awesome.

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

(Image courtesy of NBC)

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