jozy BernaDette pursue your dreams

Jozy Bernadette is a North Dakotan pursuing her dream to be a musical artist. She succeeded in her audition for season 12 of The Voice. This interview took place right after her audition aired in February. To watch and see what happened this season check out nbc.com/the-voice.

AREA WOMAN: What was it like growing up in North Dakota as an aspiring musician?

JOZY BERNADETTE: My father was a successful athlete so he could have moved anywhere for his professional basketball career but they choose to be close to family in Grand Forks. I loved Grand Forks. You can run all around town and be safe, everyone knows everyone. It’s like a little movie town, you can go anywhere and see someone you know. L.A. is such a large place that misses out on so much of the benefits you have in a small town.

AW: Who is/has been your musical inspiration?

JB: I love Kelly Clarkson and Alicia Keyes (I have tried to play piano like her). Recently I am into Tori Kelly and I really enjoy Beyonce — her confidence, stage performance and how she carries herself.

AW: What has your experience been like so far on The Voice?

JB: Two years ago I auditioned and didn’t make it. This second time I have the experience and confidence that I needed to be here again. I know who I am as an artist more. I have so much more confidence this second time.

AW: What is the biggest difference for you this time around on The Voice?

JB: My confidence and knowing who I am as a musician. Having the experience of failure the first time helped me keep going forward and try again. I want to prove to myself more than The Voice that I can go after my dreams. I have wanted this for so long, and for it to actually be happening … I am so thankful. I keep saying, “Wow this is the craziest thing ever.”

AW: For your audition, you sang “American Woman” and Adam Levine turned his chair around. What was going on in your mind?

JB: I was singing, at one point in the song, no one had turned around, and I gave myself a pep-talk: “Just keep going, keep singing.” Then Adam turned his chair around. “I heard myself say, “You just made it on ‘The Voice’!” I had to keep singing, I closed my eyes, when I opened my eyes and saw that both Gwen and Adam had turned their chairs I felt my legs get weak and dropped to the ground in excitement. Best day of my entire life.

AW: So both Adam and Gwen Stefani turn their chairs for you! Why did you pick Gwen?

JB: On TV it looks like a very quick decision, but there was about an hour of conversation between Adam and Gwen, and Blake Shelton chimed in as always. In the end Gwen really connected with me and who I want to be as a musician. She wanted to help me with my writing, my fashion, she really said everything I wanted to hear. And I mean it’s hard to turn down Adam Levine ... but she really said what I wanted to hear.

AW: What would you say to the young women who are pursuing their musical dreams?

JB: Being from a North Dakota small town, there’s this idea that you can’t make it big, or the odds are small. I want every little girl to know in North Dakota that you can go after your dreams. Put yourself out there, you never know what might happen. Don’t take no for an answer. Keep going after the things you love, you never know who you might be able to meet. I have been able to be mentored by Adam, Gwen, and I just got to meet and be mentored by Celine Dion! I mean, amazing! If you go after it, no matter where you are from, you can make it.

AW: What would you say to the person who was in your shoes two years ago, recently rejected, grinding it out and trying to make it in music.

JB: When God closes one door, keep knocking, he might open a few doors and maybe even a window. The music scene is really hard, but if you put yourself out there and keep trying, it’s amazing what can happen. When I lost the first time it was really difficult, but I have made the determination to never give up.

AW: What do you feel like is going to be your biggest impact with your time in The Voice?

JB: Well, showing others that you can come from a little town and make it big. I talked to one person here (in L.A.) that said she didn’t know there was a North Dakota. Music really does change people’s lives. Without my family and North Dakotans supporting me, I know that I couldn’t make the impact I am right now. I want everyone to know, just go for it!

For more from Jozy go to jozybernadette.com or follow her on INSTAGRAM: @jozybernadette