"This is the voice!"

Ah yes, finally! A singing competition that judges an artist strictly on their voice without any prior knowledge as to who this person is, their struggle in life, and most importantly what they look like...but is this production and casting process of NBC's "The Voice" as effortless as all of these contestants and judges make it out to be? Take it from somebody who has climbed these ropes before, it is not effortless nor is it based on just your voice in order to be a part of this hit contest and I wouldn't exactly say it is fun either.

So where do i begin? It all starts at the open call...the dreaded open call where thousands of people line up outside of your city's designated arena or convention center and play the waiting game just to get inside the door, and then wait what feels like 12 hours more prior to the 4 you've already waited for not even a full minute acapella audition. Once you slowly make your way through the line(s) and move your way through multiple clusters of chairs and endure tacky beat-boxing and people trying to out-sing each other, it is finally time to show the judge what you came to do. Assembled in groups of 8 and handed a number, you sing when you are instructed and hope that nerves don't get the best of you. Because I was a minor at the time, my father was in the big echoing room with the others and I, so when my number was called I looked at him, gave him a nod and belted the chorus of "Edge of Glory" by Lady Gaga. To be honest I don't even remember singing..I was excited, nervous, and I wasn't sure whether to laugh or to cry. Everyone had their turn and the single judge waited about 30 seconds to finish up taking notes then told us all we did a good job. Everyone started filing out, then she called my name and asked me to stay back. No words can describe the shock and amount of excitement that struck me. Like a thousand little bolts of lightning rushing though my veins. Gladly standing in the center of the big room the blonde lady flashes a big smile and looks up at me and complements my voice and then asked if I can sing her a Taylor Swift song. I must have looked pissed because the smile quickly ran away from her face... then she asked if I could sing her an Ariana Grande song and at that point I think I had pure disgust on my face. Don't get me wrong I don't have anything against them but I just don't like listening to what sound like nails on a chalkboard. I told her I can sing some Amy Winehouse or Adele or even some Joss Stone. She asked for Amy next so I sang "Back To Black," she smiled, handed me a red slip and said congratulations and pointed to the room just down the hall for the next part of the process. Not knowing what was going to happen in the that room, my dad and I slowly strolled on over and sat in front of this big table with a girl, a laptop, stacks of papers and one giant starbuck's coffee behind it. She took my slip, and gave me the "lowdown" on what was going to happen next. Long story short I had a week to prepare six songs that fit my genera that I would sing for a producer at a recording studio with the whole "shabang"- lights, camera, and action.

I can confidently tell you that I got about 10 hours of sleep that entire week. Trying to prefect songs, plan my outfit and map out what I was going to say to the producer...(aka many conversations with myself in my mirror) and of course wondering what it would be like if I got past this round. At that point, days seemed like minutes and minutes were nonexistent. the day was finally here. a bright, cold day in the city...it was pretty much perfect. My dad and I walk to the studio and walk into what seemed like a different planet. people rushing around on the nice hardwood floor, some people looking serious and others looking happy and excited! I give the big man at the desk my name and my forms I had with me and he directed my dad and I to sit in the chairs and wait until my name was called. Now that I think about it, it was kind of like being at the doctor's office in the sense that I was anxious and thought about leaving 4 times but then convinced myself that everything will be fine once I get this over and done with. I look around the studio and notice that I am the only person who is not wearing something over the top...I was kind of worried as well. I mean, there was a costume store right around the corner I could have gone and got something from there but then I decided my cute shirt that I bought from Zara the previous day and my black skinny jeans were good enough. Finally, the lady in the red shirt standing by the door called my name and I stood up so fast that I almost fell right back down again. She led me into this hallway and told me the man in the head set will grab me when he's ready. About 10 minutes go by and the door slowly opens and my heart stops. I walk in the room and the first thing I notice is the giant window that overlooked the city. Something about that just made me tell myself that I am able to do this. I felt confident and excited. I put on a fake cheesy smile and introduce myself and tell them where I'm from and then tell the 3 judges what I was going to sing. With the mic in my hand and the music blasting through a tinny sounding speaker I sing my heart out and don't stop until my last song is over. All of the judges seemed to love me and told me how "cute" I was...am I a puppy or something? Finally, the audition was over and the judges sent me off back to the hallway where a man in a black shirt with tattooed arms came to bring me downstairs for an interview. Hum...an interview...I was hesitant and nervous but still riding on the high of my audition that just went so well. Again, I wait for a few then am pulled into this room with a lady, a giant camera and a chair. I sit in the chair with the camera inches away from my nose and begin answering the questions I was asked. "so Isabella, have you been through anything tragic in your life" I was weirded out by the question and reply with a stuttered "no". Trust me, life hasn't been a walk in the park but I didn't want to put my issues out there with a camera inches away from my face. I told her about my family and my hobbies and why I sing what I sing. Finally she says "okay, thank you! You two can head upstairs now." My dad and I walk upstairs and are directed to a table with a nice woman behind it, she says, and I quote- "You have come as far as you can come in the competition for now. You will be getting a phone call within the next two months letting you know if you made it to California." She handed me a slip with the same exact thing she said and then sent me on my way. Dazed and happy, my dad and I head to the "Lavatzza" cafe next door and try to wrap our heads around what just happened.

Months go by without hearing a word, and every day I get more upset thinking that I wasn't good enough and basically being that person and feeling bad for myself. Some girls and I from work were out at a popular seafood place downtown Rochester, Michigan. I look at my phone and notice a call from a number from California. I figured it was a wrong number so I put it to voicemail but when a voicemail was actually left, I had a feeling...a hopeful feeling that maybe JUST maybe it could be "them". Running outside, pushing my way through the crowd, tripping on people's shoes I make my way outside to listen to the voicemail and it says- "Hi Isabella, this is so and so from the voice calling, call me back at this extension when you get a chance. Thank you, bye." I cant even tell you, I melted in my shoes. I was so excited. Guys, I made it to California...a small town girl going to one of the city of dreams. LA, music, new friends, and sun. It was marvelous, but once I opened my eyes and stopped being blinded by the new experiences I realized how not fun this was. Constant waiting, a 600 question personality test, a psyche evaluation and being sequestered to a hotel for a week...it was crazy. Crazy that every single person had to do this and crazy that I was letting myself be apart of it. I prepared songs, and was shuttled to a beautiful recording studio. It was amazing to be there and be able to sing in front of everyone who basically makes that show possible. In a low lit room, they were all sitting on couches with candles burning. I was relaxed as I sang my two songs and I must say, quite content with how I performed to these people! Sadly, it was not good enough for them, because the next day I was on a plane on my way home. My friends, I wouldn't trade that experience for a million dollars but let me tell you that I went through all of that and I didn't even get to the blinds. It was rough and made me feel pretty bad about myself for a while, but as I was watching the current season's contestants I noticed that they all have some kind of tragic story as to why they sing and me...I'm just a soul singer from Detroit without a story and that's all I will ever be to the NBC. So now I have set out on my own mission to become a singer and to show them, and others, that you do not need a story in order to make it big!

So next time you watch "The Voice" just remember how much effort goes into the show to make it look effortless.