Arlington native says she lived her superstar dream on NBC’s ‘The Voice’
For Arlington native Kendra Remedios, singing on “The Voice” was like “living her dream in real life.”
The country singer and songwriter was recruited by NBC producers to audition for the show. After just 10 seconds of singing “Girl Crush” by Little Big Town in her blind audition, judge John Legend turned his chair, clinching Remedios a spot on his team. Unfortunately, during round two, she was “knocked out” by her competitor in their duet of “Walk on By” by Dionne Warwick.
Though Remedios told the Star-Telegram she wishes she spent more time on the show, she also walked away with assurance that she is right where she is meant to be.
“I’m in Nashville chasing a dream. So sometimes I think, what are you doing, Kendra?” she told Star-Telegram in an interview. “But, this experience really put into place that God has me exactly where I am, and I was meant to do that, and I just am super thankful for it.”
From the loss of her father that put her life on hold, to singing in front of millions on television, Remedios feels lucky for the whole experience that allowed her to use her talent to reach others.
Shooting for NBC’s ‘The Voice’ and working with John Legend as coach
Remedios spent last summer in Los Angeles shooting the show. She said she enjoyed every single minute of it – from the extremely nice production staff, to the co-stars that have become life-long friends and the care from judge and vocal coach John Legend.
During Remedios’ coaching sessions with Legend, he compared her soulful country voice to the likes of icon Amy Winehouse. Remedios said he brought out the soul-blues flare in her country twang, which challenged her to learn more as an artist.
“Everyone asked me, how was it working with John?” she said. “I just felt like he was so intentional. And whenever I was talking or singing, he had his whole sights on me and was genuinely caring that I do the best that I could do.”
But it wasn’t just working with the 13-time Grammy award-winning judge that made her feel big time. It was also the fact that the “The Voice” assigns stylists and hair and makeup artists to all contestants.
“This is exactly what I’ve been dreaming of — being the superstar and having the wardrobe, the stylist and the vocal lessons with these amazing professionals,” she said. “So honestly, for the first time in my life, I felt like I was actually living out my dream, instead of just dreaming my dream.”
Remedios’ country-style wardrobe on the show consisted of fringe, leather, chunky turquoise jewelry, belts, hats and boots. She got to take some souvenirs, including the cheetah blouse and slick leather skirt from her battle round episode.
The North Texas native also took some friends back home with her to Nashville, including her competitor Natasha Blaine, who beat her in the battle round.
“They said that me and Natasha were partners, and we happen to be sitting right next to each other, too,” said Remedios. “We turned and we were like, ‘Oh! It’s going to be so much fun.’ And then I was like, ‘Oh… dang it, wait.’”
Despite the fact the two were forced to face off, Remedios and Blaine continue to spend time together as friends in Nashville. And they may be singing together again sometime soon.
What’s next for Kendra Remedios?
Remedios said her biggest takeaway from being on “The Voice” was affirmation that she should be pursuing her God-given gift.
The show gave Remedios an opportunity to share her passion with others and inspire others to pursue theirs. At one point, her singing raked in more than a million views to her Instagram profile.
Now, she is focusing on releasing a cover single of “Girl Crush” by Little Big Town, which was the song she sang in her blind audition. She also will make her Nashville Whiskey Jam debut, as well as do a “The Voice” takeover with some of her co-stars.
Remedios plans to continue songwriting and singing gigs around Lower Broadway in Nashville.