JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The search is on for the next singing superstar for the hit NBC show "The Voice" and First Coast News sent 20 local singers to audition in Orlando Thursday morning.
The 20 finalists were picked at random, along with five special VIP status winners who were guaranteed a spot at the front of the line.
The five VIP winners are Donna Fisher, Patty Jones, Shamauri "Mauri" Porter, Jazz Torres, and Miegal Bostick.
Here were their audition pieces:
- Mauri - "So High" by John Legend or Rock with you by Michael Jackson
- Jazz - "Fallen" by Alicia Keyes
- Donna - "Evergreen" by Barbara Streisand or "Wounded Soldier" by steve green
- Patty - "Voice of a Savior" by Mandisa
- Miegal - "American Boy" by Kanye West
We invited them to First Coast News Monday to sing for our live evening broadcasts. Just like the hit NBC show, we didn't reveal the contestants' faces until the end.
Donna Fischer sang a rendition of "Georgia." She's a local crafter who sells natural soaps and tote bags at area farmers markets.
Patty Jones is a local mom, Mary Kay beauty consultant, and aspiring singer/songwriter. She sang a version of "How Great Thou Art."
Shamauri "Mauri" Porter is a student studying digital arts at Stetson University. He's in town for the summer working at a local YMCA. He belted out his version of "This Christmas."
Jazz Torres, a Jacksonville bartender who works at Bank of America, showed off her skills singing "I Will Survive."
Miegal Bostick is a political science major at Florida Community College at Jacksonville. He did not perform live in the studio, but he joined the contestants Thursday.
First Coast News