Toneisha Harris

Mandi Castillo

Cedrice

Megan Danielle

Joanna Serenko

Arei Moon

Roderick Chambers

Michael Williams

The Voice Season 18 transformed into a virtual competition in light of the coronavirus—yet the talent has never shined brighter. Throughout the live performances, members of Team Blake Shelton, Team Kelly Clarkson, Team Nick Jonas and Team John Legend sang their hearts out in the comfort of their own homes, pining for one of the five coveted finale spots. In the end, Pastor Todd Tilghman took home the top title, a soulful singer with soaring vocals who was coached by Shelton. This season was anything but conventional, challenging each contestant to accept adversity and adapt to move forward. Below, members of the Top 13 share what their experience was like and how, exactly, they managed to pull off a complete production within their households.

Why did you decide to audition for The Voice?

Toneisha Harris: Singing is my passion. I had planned to audition for Season 2 of The Voice in 2011, but unfortunately, my son got sick, and he became my priority. I wasn't sure if I'd get another chance to audition, so when the opportunity came around again, I knew I couldn't pass it up!

Mandi Castillo: I thought it would be a great opportunity to gain exposure and learn more about myself as an artist.

Cedrice: I needed a challenge. I knew The Voice would push me to where I needed to be at this point in my career.

Megan Danielle: I’ve always loved the show. I would sit in the middle of class watching The Voice on YouTube. I always wanted an experience like it, and it was nothing but amazing!

Joanna Serenko: I tried out before but didn’t get past the callback. This year, [the producers] saw one of my YouTube videos and reached about doing a private audition, so I felt confident about trying out one more time.

Arei Moon: A really good friend of mine who was a previous contestant convinced me that I was good enough.

Roderick Chambers: I auditioned because I knew that if I was fortunate enough to make it on a team, it would be a great opportunity to gain massive exposure.

Michael Williams: I was looking for my next musical opportunity. A friend from my church was auditioning, and I asked him questions about audition information. He encouraged me to go for it, and shortly after, I sent in a video submission. I didn’t know if I was completely ready for the experience, but I’m so glad I took the step.

Why did you select the song you chose to sing for the Blind Auditions?

Toneisha Harris: I chose to sing "I Want to Know What Love Is" by Foreigner. That song not only allowed me to show off my range, but it also spoke to the journey I've been on in life.

Mandi Castillo: I chose to sing “Así Fue” by Juan Gabriel for my Blind Audition. It’s one of my favorite songs, and I knew the Latino community would appreciate it. I wanted to represent my heritage. To me, it felt like a good move because I was able to showcase that I can sing in two languages.

Cedrice: I chose to sing Fever because when I was 16 years old, I watched Beyonce perform a spectacular rendition of the song live at Wembley Stadium. The Blind Audition was my opportunity to live out a small dream and perform like Beyonce on the big stage.

Megan Danielle: I selected “Remedy” by Adele because I connect to the lyrics. It was a dedication to my siblings, to remind them that even though we’ve faced so much in our lives, I’ll always be there for them.

Joanna Serenko: I just love Amy Winehouse’s version of “All My Loving.” I also thought it would be a good choice to show off my range and runs.

Arei Moon: I chose “Miss Independent” to honor my mom and Kelly Clarkson. My mother is a great example of an independent woman who doesn’t need a man to survive and be great. I wanted to honor Kelly because she was literally in our shoes. She’s the pioneer of reality singing competitions, and I admire that she’s now sharing [her wisdom] with Voice contestants. She’s definitely a queen.

Roderick Chambers: I selected Brian McKnight's "Back At One" because I was always a big fan of 90s R&B. The song reminds me of my days in high school, a simpler time.

Michael Williams: I chose “You Say” by Lauren Daigle because it’s a very special song to me. As I was growing up, Lauren was a Christian artist, and when she first released “You Say,” it was a Christian hit. I watched her and her song grow from only playing on Christian radio stations to playing all over the world on every station and steaming platform. The song holds a special place in my heart for those reasons. It also has an amazing message of encouragement and love. No matter what you think about yourself, you can always have confidence in the love G-d has for you.

What made you choose your coach?

Toneisha Harris: Having a four-chair turn was something I never imagined would happen. At that moment, I trusted my gut and went with Blake. I felt like he was genuine and seemed to really care for his artists on and off the stage.

Mandi Castillo: John’s style of music is very similar to the type of music I like to sing and write. I felt like he would be a great coach for me and choose great songs throughout the competition, which he did.

Cedrice: I grew up listening to John Legend. I knew that I wouldn't be disappointed in working with him.

Megan Danielle: Even though I was a one-chair turn, I was extremely happy with just Kelly turning. I love that woman! She’s one of the coolest people. She’s so kind and hilarious. Working with her was so much fun.

Joanna Serenko: I chose Nick because he stood up and “fought” for me to join his team. If a Jonas brother ever tried to fight for you, I’m sure you’d join his team too!

Arei Moon: Nick blocked Kelly from getting me on her own song. I’m so happy that he believed in me so much to do that, though. I’m not sure who I would’ve chosen between the two if Kelly wasn’t blocked, as they were my top picks prior, but I had the best time on Nick’s team.

Roderick Chambers: Nick was the only judge who turned for me!

Michael Williams: Nick was the only coach to turn around for me, which made it an easy decision. Either way, if other coaches had turned as well, I still would’ve picked Nick.

What's one thing people may not know about the collaboration process with your coach?

Toneisha Harris: The collaboration process wasn’t difficult at all. Blake listened to my ideas and constantly told me to get out of my own head.

Mandi Castillo: John always gave great tips when it came to harmonies and even had input on band-related things as well. He was truly amazing!

Cedrice: We don't get too much time to work with the coaches. I wish I could have worked with John throughout the week to pick his brain about his writing and creating process. I’m definitely looking forward to the day when we get to work together again.

Joanna Serenko: As soon as you get over the shock factor of what you’re doing and who you’re talking to, it feels like you’re [hanging out with] a mentor or close friend. I really enjoyed working with the coaches and getting their input on my performances.

Arei Moon: They were just as nervous as us going into each round. Our performance determined their fate and validity in coaching us. A lot of people seem to think that their advice was just for show, but it was really tailored to us as individuals.

Roderick Chambers: Nick is a very genuine person. He's very real and down to earth, no different than most people we meet in our day-to-day lives. I think that’s amazing when you consider the kind of life he lives and has lived for most of his life!

Michael Williams: The coaches are very invested in you and the process. They know your potential and don't try to change who you are as an artist or vocalist, simply encourage and help you to be the best you can be with the skills you have.

Any behind-the-scenes bloopers you can share?

Mandi Castillo: During my Battle rehearsal with John and Ella Mai, I had a second to drink water, and as I reached down, the zipper on my dress busted! I totally played it off and sang through the song two more times. I don’t think anybody noticed!

Megan Danielle: Allegra [Miles], Michael [Williams], Levi [Watkins] and I always played board games until our curfew was up. Also, one time, Allegra, Anaya [Cheyenne] and I sang “Say Something” in the middle of our hotel, not knowing if we were even allowed to.

Joanna Serenko: I got so close to all of the contestants. It was always such a fun time hanging by the pool and hot tub, going out to eat together and reading tarot cards. I have a lot of great memories from the experience.

Arei Moon: I tripped on my outfit train going up the stairs to the stage during the Blinds. I was tripping on it constantly, and my heels kept getting stuck in the cobblestone during our family shots.

Roderick Chambers: After I found out that I won my Battle Round, I was so shocked that when I went backstage, I walked in the wrong direction and almost fell!

Michael Williams: In Allegra and my coaching session with the Jonas Brothers, I told Nick that I had played Jean Valjean in Les Misérables, a show that Nick was in on Broadway at eight years old. After I told him, he burst out in song, singing a part of Les Mis back to me. It was a funny and special moment.

What was your favorite outfit you wore during the competition, and why?

Toneisha Harris: The blue, two-piece suit I wore during the Knockouts. It was beautiful and really reflected the message of the song I was performing: "Diamonds" by Rhianna.

Mandi Castillo: My Battle outfit was my favorite! It was so fun and bright and helped me deliver a spicy performance.

Cedrice: The gold dress that I wore for the Battles.

Megan Danielle: The white romper I wore for my “Piece by Piece” performance was beautiful. I also love the black romper I wore for “What Hurts The Most.”

Joanna Serenko: A lot of people picked out exactly what styles they liked, but I was pretty hands-off with what the wardrobe team chose. Some of the outfits were out of my comfort zone, and I didn’t expect to love them as much as I did! Looking back, I love my orange dress from the Battles the most.

Arei Moon: The electric blue blazer dress I wore for the Knockouts. The dress itself smelled so bad, though, it was unbearable by the end of the night!

Roderick Chambers: My jacket that I wore for the Knockouts.

Michael Williams: My red shirt and boots from the Battles. It was a comfortable look that had a Harry Styles influence, which made it feel cool to wear.

What was it like to shift to a virtual competition? What was the most challenging part of the process for you?

Toneisha Harris: Shifting to a virtual competition was exciting and challenging. It was exciting because we got to still put on a great show for our fans while learning new skills and giving them a peek into our personal space. It was challenging because we didn’t get the energy from a live audience and had to become our own set-up, break-down, camera, lighting and production crew. We’ll certainly emerge from this pandemic with a newfound respect for what happens behind the scenes!

Mandi Castillo: It was very interesting and educational. I learned so much about how to angle lights and cameras because I did it all by myself with the help of a tech team on a video call. The only thing I missed was being on the stage and having an audience—that’s the best feeling. It was such a blessing, though, to make history.

Cedrice: Like any stage, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the environment. The energy of the venue needed to match the energy of my home, which was incredibly difficult. I rest and relax at home while I work on stage or in a studio. I was heavily distracted when performing in my home, and it was challenging to get in the zone.

Megan Danielle: It was crazy. The most challenging part was setting up the equipment, but the awesome Voice crew helped a lot!

Joanna Serenko: The most challenging part was probably setting up all of the equipment and putting everything together. I wish you could see my house—it’s [still] filled with boxes of equipment! It was also difficult not to have an audience to reciprocate energy to.

Arei Moon: It was cool, weird and disappointing all at once. It was cool because we got to be the first class of The Voice to do something like it—we learned so many valuable behind-the-scenes tips, from setting up equipment to figuring out lighting and angles. It was weird because I’m used to the audience’s energy, and we didn’t have that at home. It was disappointing because we missed out on the full glitz and glamour of the stage that was highly anticipated from the start. With all that said, we were really lucky and blessed to have had the opportunity to move forward, and I think the show did a great job.

Roderick Chambers: It wasn't as nerve-wracking as I anticipated, but it was still very overwhelming. I think the most challenging part of the process was getting all of the camera, lighting and recording equipment set up and working correctly. That was a nightmare.

Michael Williams: It was very challenging at times. The stage is a second home for me, so to not be able to perform there made it a learning process. I learned how to perform with no audience energy and no stage feeling. I was singing from my bedroom in Ohio, which taught me a lot about myself as an artist and entertainer. When there’s nobody to entertain, it’s difficult!

How did you adapt to the changes? What did you do to make sure you still stood out in the competition?

Toneisha Harris: I adapted by accepting change. I tried to remain as vocally consistent as possible and still have fun with every song.

Mandi Castillo: It wasn’t that hard to adapt to the changes. It’s kind of similar to recording covers in your house for social media. I did a performance in black and white, which I thought was really pretty and stood out.

Cedrice: I don't think I planned things out well enough to move forward in the competition because there was so much happening at once. What I would've done differently to make sure I stood out would've been to sing songs that were in the genre I felt represented me best.

Megan Danielle: I tried to sing from my heart and let others connect in the way I connected to each song. Every song I sang meant something to me, and I don’t have any regrets.

Joanna Serenko: It was important to me to make sure people could see my personality. I wanted to feel relaxed and calm despite the challenges. [The production team] gave me some really cool set-ups, and I particularly loved the one on my back porch for “Lean On Me.”

Arei Moon: I had to immediately step into a positive mentality. That was the only way I was going to be able to reach my full potential. The show’s staff was there every step of the way to make sure we knew what was going on. I just needed to practice my time management and remember to be myself. I had to mentally envision an audience and try to connect with them.

Roderick Chambers: I'm a person who doesn’t do well with change, so my girlfriend helped me adapt. She put things in perspective, and being able to calm my mind and focus is what helped me stand out in the competition.

Michael Williams: I adapted to the changes by completely immersing myself in the competition and process. Although it was a huge change in format, I placed all my effort and energy into making my performances the best they could be, just like I would have if I was in L.A. on the Voice stage.

What is your main takeaway from your experience on the show?

Toneisha Harris: I had so many amazing moments and took away invaluable information from this experience. I'd say the main highlight was working with James Taylor! Not only did he compare me vocally to the amazing Barbara Streisand and Aretha Franklin, but he also shared what helps him prepare before every performance: deep breaths and counting backwards from 50. That advice has stuck with me, and I now use it every time I'm preparing to perform.

Mandi Castillo: I made so many beautiful friendships. I was close with a lot of the contestants, and they made my experience even more amazing. I also got to learn about myself as an artist. Now, I feel like I have no limits and can sing whatever genre my heart is feeling.

Cedrice: I understand that The Voice was a platform to help me gain exposure and learn from masters of music and television. Along the way, I received more than I bargained for. The excitement and thrill I felt during this journey is irreplaceable and will forever be cherished.

Megan Danielle: The show taught me to never give up. It pushed me to get through some of my darkest moments, and I’m super grateful to have gotten an experience like this.

Joanna Serenko: That I should always have confidence in my abilities.

Arei Moon: To be consistent, believe in myself and not worry about what others have going on. I also learned to live in the moment.

Roderick Chambers: I will always remember how incredibly supportive and helpful everyone was throughout the journey. Every single person—from my coach to the person who did my makeup—was kind and helpful. I’ve never been around so many positive people in one place.

Michael Williams: I took away confidence in myself as an artist, performer and vocalist. Every artist has something special about him/herself, and I didn't recognize that before The Voice. The show taught me not to focus on the talents of others but the unique qualities of my own voice and artistry. I’m so thankful to Nick for helping me believe in myself and find my artistry.

What are your future plans?

Toneisha Harris: I plan on continuing to produce great music that heals, empowers, uplifts and gives hope and light. No matter what genre I sing, I want to release feel-good music with a message. I also plan to do songwriting collaborations and get back into theater!

Mandi Castillo: I plan to keep chasing my dreams. I’ll be putting out music sometime soon, and I’m so excited for all of my fans to hear it!

Cedrice: I plan to continue singing, acting, storytelling and inspiring people through the gifts I've been given.

Megan Danielle: I plan on continuing my singing career. I want to write a bunch of music and sing in huge arenas!

Joanna Serenko: I’m not quite sure what I’m doing for school yet, but I’m constantly writing and recording music. I plan to have an album finished by this time next year, and I’ll possibly release a single at a time.

Arei Moon: I have new songs coming out soon. I want to use this experience to help build my success in the music industry.

Roderick Chambers: To continue performing and sharing my voice with whoever will listen. I also plan on recording an album sometime this year or next.

Michael Williams: To continue writing music and bring something truly special to my fans in the near future. I’m excited to grow my brand around my city through performances and gigs. I would love to tour the country and connect with people.