17-year-old Fil-Am’s ‘The Voice’ audition earns standing ovation and four-chair turn
Screencap from Kaylee Shimizu’s “The Voice” blind audition
Anyone well-acquainted with Pinoy talent knows that the Philippines and singing go way back.
From local concerts to global stages, Filipinos’ vocal prowess stands at the forefront of their unique skills and characters. They’ve consistently brought their affinity for performing to singing competitions, too.
Among these talents is 17-year-old Filipino-American Kaylee Shimizu, who has recently brought pride to the Philippines with her showstopping blind audition on the 24th season of NBC’s “The Voice.”
Hailing from Ewa Beach, Hawai’i, Shimizu touched viewers’ and netizens’ hearts with her effortless rendition of “Golden Slumbers” by The Beatles. She made all four of the show’s coaches turn their chairs at the first few notes, earning a well-deserved standing ovation shortly after.
Shimizu’s talent earned her the highest praise from the acclaimed coaches, leaving them speechless and in awe from start to finish. “We’re just stunned right now,” shared “The Voice” coach John Legend after her performance. He then described her voice as “dazzling, creative, and musical.” Fellow coach Niall Horan jokingly added, “I can’t believe what just happened.”
The young, bubbly vocalist then revealed that singing has been second nature to her, growing up with karaoke, thanks to her Filipino family. They’ve supported her and onstage endeavors from childhood to “The Voice,” watching her teary-eyed as she becomes a star in the making. Shimizu was more than happy to bring them up onstage to express her gratitude.
Coach Gwen Stefani, still gushing over Shimizu’s number, claimed to have never heard a voice like hers before. The audition was a manifestation of Shimizu’s God-given talent—running deep in many other Pinoy families—which she finally got to show the world. It’s no surprise that Filipinos around the world are rooting for her, no matter how far she makes it.
“The Voice” certainly marked Shimizu’s musical breakthrough, with her blind audition garnering over a million views in two days. However, the long-running competition wasn’t her first time singing in front of cameras and a crowd.
At the tender age of 11, Shimizu was deemed a “little girl with a big voice” who sang Michael Bublé’s “Feeling Good” on Hawaiian news outlet Living808. There, she shared that her musically inclined family inspired her to start working towards her big break.
From there, Shimizu posted short song covers on YouTube until she finally made her mark on the “The Voice” stage. Her growth as a singer thus far has attested to her innate passion for performing.
Now a strong contender under John Legend’s guidance, the Philippines awaits Shimizu’s “The Voice” journey. There’s no telling if she’ll bring home the bacon yet, but she’s already a winner in every Filipino’s eyes.
