by Todd Betzold

 

Dez Duron tried out during Season 2 of The Voice, but during his Blind Audition he had no chairs turn around for him. That didn't stop him and he came back for Season 3 and was successful the second time around and made it all the way to the Top 8. He was the last man standing for Team Christina, but his dreams of winning were cut short last night when he was sent home. Today he talked with RealityWanted in an exclusive interview about working with Christina Aguilera, coming back for a second try on The Voice and much more.

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: What made you initially try out for The Voice the first time?
A. Dez: It's always been music for me, The original plan was to not even go to college and just come straight to California and do music, but when the opportunity to go to Yale came up, I couldn't say no to that, especially having nothing concrete out in L.A. When the opportunity to do The Voice came up, it was the first concrete thing I had to hold onto and the really gave me the courage to move out here.

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: After getting no chairs to turn around during Season 2, what made you come back and try it again?
A. Dez: When I didn't get any chairs, I told my parents I didn't even want to come home to Louisiana even a little bit. I wanted to stay out here and get better at what I do and learn about the music industry. I really didn't know anything about the music industry or how it worked, how studio sessions worked, so I just stayed out here and in the studio and really loved it. When I was called and told I was allowed to come back, I thought it was the best thing for my career. It was a really scary decision. I put a lot of lot into it. I didn't want to be the guy who lost twice, but it ended up being the best decision I ever made.

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: Why did you choose Christina over Blake and Cee Lo?
A. Dez: I knew that Christina was going to understand me as a singer, just from studying her records. She was actually one of the people I looked up to as a vocalist growing up. Her runs and stuff. She is one of the people I practiced to. I didn't expect Blake to turn around, so that really threw me for a loop. Christina and Cee Lo were definitely my top picks and Christina just said some stuff that spoke to my heart, so I had to go with her.

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: What was it like working with Christina this season as your coach?
A. Dez: It was a dream come true. Every second I got to spend with her was a memory that I'll take away. She taught me so much stuff and the thing I think I'm most appreciative of is she made it a point to teach me a lot of stuff past the show, about having a career. I'm thankful for that now more than ever.

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: Song choice is always a huge factor on the show. Did you help pick your songs or was that done by Christina?
A. Dez: It was always a collaborative effort. She always made sure I was comfortable with it. It was always co-signed by me, but she was always presenting the ideas and I would tell her if I was comfortable with it or not. She made great choices and always pushed me and I'm grateful for that. I'm honestly thankful to no longer have to bother with that song choice anymore and I get to go make my own music. That is what I am most excited about.

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: What has this whole experience meant to you?
A. Dez: Last season when I didn't get chosen taught me how much I love music. Even when I didn't get any chairs turned around I felt the most fulfilled I had in my entire life because I was doing what I wanted to do. I was happy up on that stage. This season taught me to believe in myself and help me discover the artist that I want to be and it taught me the limits I put on myself aren't valid. I can go further than I thought I could. Christina pushed me past what I thought I was capable of and I really appreciate that she believed in me.

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: What type of album do you plan on making?
A. Dez: The album we are going to put out is going to be pop, but with a twist of that soul sound that I have been doing all season. I'm really looking forward to it. We've already got some good songs going and I'm looking forward to making a lot more.

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: You have a lot of fans out there supporting you. Anything you want to say to them reading this article?
A. Dez: The support on Twitter and Facebook is the reason that I came back for Season 3. Their encouragement and knowing they believed in me and wanted to see me come back, so I want to thank them for that. I want to thank them for keeping me around for as long as they did because every week was such a huge memory and moments I will never forget. I want to thank them for believing in me and that means a lot to me. I'm going to continue to work hard to make them proud. Nothing changes from here. Before I was working hard to make them proud with every performance and now I'm going to make them proud every day making new music that I think they are going to love.

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: Anything to add?
A. Dez: Christina is amazing and to work with her was one of the greatest moments of my life so far and I'll always be Team Xtina forever.

 

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

 

(Image courtesy of NBC)

 

Follow Todd on Twitter @TopicalTodd