by Todd Betzold

At only 16 years old, Michaela Paige is one confident lady when she hits the stage on The Voice. She has spunk and personality and I love everything about her. She is working with Team Blake and was successful in her battle with Kelly Crapa. We will get to see Michaela's Knockout Round tonight, but today she talked with RealityWanted in an exclusive interview about her confidence, working with Blake Shelton, a message to her fans and much more.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: What made you initially try out for The Voice?
A. Michaela: I actually had a good friend that was on the first season of The Voice. Her name is Beverly McClellan. I saw the structure of the show and I thought it was unique to them and unlike anything I have ever seen before. Between wanting to try something new and seeing what it was all about and the way Beverly talked about the show I thought it would be perfect for me.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: You seem very confident on the stage and you are only 16. Where does that confidence come from?
A. Michaela: I think you will hear Blake talk about it a little bit more tonight. I put myself in a place when I sing. I become that song and I become that artist and I become that emotion. It's a totally different world for me, so I really transform into that performer and into that mode and I really can't explain it any other way.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: Speaking of Blake, what has it been like working with his as a coach so far?
A. Michaela: Working with Blake as a coach has been unbelievable. He invests so much time and so much effort and so much of himself in all of his artists. I can't help but grow as a musician and as a person.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: You also got to work with Michael Buble during the Battle Round. What was that experience like?
A. Michaela: It was so funny because they didn't tell us who it was beforehand. They were like your mentor's in there, your coach is in there. Go have fun. If you don't know who it is don't mess up the shot so we don't have to take it again. We walk in there and I was the most excited person in the world because Michael Buble is iconic. I started out doing blues and jazz, so I listened to a lot of Michael Buble. Actually, my Dad and I were having this conversation on what it would be like to work with him the night before and it just so happened to be him, so that was an honor.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: What was your strategy going into the battle with Kelly? You both are two different types of singers.
A. Michaela: Going into the battles, the two of us were completely dumbfounded that we were paired together. Going into the first rehearsal I started to understand the method to Blake's madness. My strategy was just to go in and show Blake who I was and really it wasn't a battle against Kelly, it was a battle for a spot on the show. That is what really made me succeed in the end.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: What is your strategy heading into the Knockout Rounds?
A. Michaela: My strategy heading into the Knockout Rounds was just to be myself. For us, it was totally new. For America, it was something totally new. So going in and being able to experiment, it was all about showing who you are as an artist and that was my main goal. I think throughout every round it's not really going up against somebody else. It's not really trying to fight another person. It's really about solidifying in yourself and in your coach on why you deserve to stay.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: What has it been like seeing your Blind Audition and Battle Round on TV?
A. Michaela: Seeing myself on TV, I think I'm still in denial. The first show, you go through all this filming and you go through all the taping and you go through Blinds and Battles and you just feel you are in this crazy dream. Like you have been syncing it all up and it is not real and then you go and you are able to watch it. For me, it is like an out of body experience and I just can't believe it.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: You have a lot of fans out there supporting you. Anything you want to say to them reading this article?
A. Michaela: To my fans, this journey isn't about me. This journey is about us. I'm going to be working my hardest to show you guys that dreams are possible. Anything can happen and following your dreams is everything and more. If you pursue your passion you can really get to where you want to go.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: Anything to add?
A. Michaela: All of my fans can listen to my radio shows on Tuesday nights. Off Topic: The Michaela Paige Show is on at 6/5c on W4WN.com and Friends, Music, Life is on at 7/6c on W4CY.com and Pursue Your Passion is on at 9/8c on W4CY.com. Follow me on Twitter and like me on Facebook.

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

(Image courtesy of NBC)

Follow Todd on Twitter @TopicalTodd