Virginia Belle Makes Debut on NBC’s ‘The Voice’

If you’re free Monday night, you might want to tune into “The Voice” on NBC. University of Virginia third year-student Simone Marijic will make an appearance during the singing competition’s “blind auditions.”

Portrait of Simone Marijic

Marijic, in this promotional photo for “The Voice,” is excited to watch Monday’s episode with friends and family. (Contributed photo)

That’s when the program’s famous coaches, John Legend, Kelsea Ballerini, Michael Bublé and Adam Levine, listen to contestants with their backs turned to the singer.

If, say, Legend, likes what he hears, he pushes a button that makes his chair spin to face the performer. If more than one coach presses their buttons, the power shifts to the artist, who can then choose who they want to coach them as the competition progresses.

Marijic is a member of the Virginia Belles, a popular University a cappella group founded in 1977, not long after the University began admitting women, to serve as a counter to the all-male a cappella group the Virginia Gentlemen. Marijic said the Belles set her up for success.

Pink Pony Club

Marijic’s journey on “The Voice” began a year and a half ago when she received an open call for video auditions. “I kind of did it on a whim and submitted a video of me singing ‘Gravity’ by Sarah Bareilles, which is sort of my go-to audition song for anything,” she said. “I closed the email and sort of went on with my life for the next couple weeks.”

Then came another email, asking for three more videos. Marijic sang “River” by Joni Mitchell and “Jolene” by Dolly Parton. Her third performance was a video of her singing Chappel Roan’s “Pink Pony Club” with the Virginia Belles. That launched her to the show’s blind auditions.

Last summer, the history and music major and public policy minor filmed her performance in Burbank, California, her home state. To shake off her nerves, one of her sisters told her to pretend she was performing with the Virginia Belles. It helped her “immensely,” Marijic said. “Being in the Belles, you kind of have to use all your muscles musically,” both as a soloist and a background singer, she said.

Will the Virginia Belle Advance?

You’ll have to tune in at 8 p.m. Eastern time to see how Marijic does. Monday’s episode is the last of the blind auditions. Next comes the battle round, a new knockout round and live performance shows. The winner, named “The Voice,” will be signed to a recording contract.

Excellence Here Goes Everywhere, To Be Great and Good In All We Do
Excellence Here Goes Everywhere, To Be Great and Good In All We Do

In March 2020, 2016 graduate Micah Iverson, a former president of the Virginia Gentlemen, made it to the final round before being voted off. He offers this advice to Marijic:

“Best of luck. Remember to trust in your own creative direction – your voice is completely unique to you,” he said. “In the end, you know what sounds and feels best for your own musical choices.”

Media Contact

Jane Kelly

University News Senior Associate Office of University Communications