Rossany Rodriguez of North Brunswick has made it through the blind auditions of “La Voz Kids.” PHOTO COURTESY OF LA VOZ KIDS North Brunswick has a voice in an international competition. Rossany Rodriguez, a junior at North Brunswick Township High School, has made it through the blind auditions on the third season of “La Voz Kids,” the Spanish version of “The Voice” singing competition.
Rossany remembers her parents taking note of her talent when she was singing in church as early as age 4 or 5. Now, the 15- year-old has turned what had been a hobby into a possible professional career.
Rossany has competed in talent shows throughout her life, but has no professional training, she said. Too young to audition for “The Voice” last year, she decided to try out for “La Voz” instead. She first went to auditions two years ago, but each judge’s team was already full and she was not able to try out.
“Obviously I felt a little hurt, but I thought, ‘There’s always next year,’” she said. “The door opened for me and it was a wonderful experience.”
Rossany decided to try out again last October. She sang “Angel” by Sarah McLachlan. Although “La Voz” is geared toward Spanish-speaking viewers, the songs can be in English.
Rossany had to go through a cappella, music and interview rooms to advance.
“The hardest part was the a cappella room,” she said, noting that only two people in each group could move on, and she was the only one from her group to be chosen.
For about two months, she eagerly awaited a call from producers to find out if she was selected for the TV program. She recalls being “stressed out” and telling her mother she didn’t think she would get the call. The next day, she was invited to partake in the blind auditions in Florida.
“A weight had been taken off of me,” she said.
She was among 10 singers from a pool of roughly 6,000 selected from the New York pre-elimination round.
As a result, Rossany and her mother, Teresa Lozada, were sent on an all-expense paid trip to take part in the next round of the competition in January.
Rossany stepped on stage in front of “La Voz” judges Pedro Fernández, Natalia Jiménez and Daddy Yankee for the song “Ya Te Olvidé” by Yuridia, which the producers had chosen for her. Rossany said it was nerve-wracking to sing “in front of people who already have their careers set, and they know what they’re doing [and] they’re giving you approval.”
Fernández and Daddy Yankee turned around during her performance, which made her even more nervous, she said.
“What the heck,” she thought. She laughed as she later watched the video of her performance, with viewers being able to see her expression change upon realizing the judges had chosen her.
She acknowledged that she went off pitch at that point because of her nerves. Both judges took note of that, as well, but Fernández tried to convince her that he needed a voice like hers on his team, and Daddy Yankee called her a diamond that needs polishing. She decided to select Daddy Yankee as her coach.
Rossany could not provide details about the progression of the competition, because only the blind auditions have aired on Sundays on Telemundo. But she said even if she does not make it through to the end, “the simple fact is that someone is giving me support in everything I do.
“I feel like I already won.”
As for her schoolwork, Rossany said her teachers sent her assignments while she was in Florida. Though it has been difficult, she hopes she will have to continue traveling back and forth to the Sunshine State for “La Voz.”
“Having the support from my hometown is amazing,” Rossany said, noting that her grandparents who live in the Dominican Republic watch the show and “are so proud of me.”
Following in the footsteps of her idols Selena and Christina Aguilera, Rossany’s goal is to make it through to the end of “La Voz.” But, if not, she can take her shot at “The Voice” next time around.
To watch Rossany’s audition performance, visit https://youtu.be/nhsmokiDuY4.
Contact Jennifer Amato at [email protected].