A country singer from Arlington gave a powerful performance on Monday night’s battle round episode of NBC’s “The Voice,” but didn’t make it to the knockout round of the singing competition show.
Kendra Remedios is an Arlington native who now lives in Nashville, performing on Lower Broadway in her free time while juggling work as a dental hygienist. She wowed judge John Legend in her blind audition a few weeks ago, when she sang “Girl Crush” by Little Big Town in chunky silver jewelry and black cowgirl boots.
The show has four rounds– blind auditions, battle rounds, knockout and semi-finals. The Monday, March 23 episode showed part two of battle rounds, which is where members of the same team sing a duet, and then the judge chooses one to advance to the knockout stage.
Kendra Remedios, Natasha Blaine, Muni Long and John Legend on Season 29, Episode 5 of NBC’s “The Voice.” Trae Patton NBC
Before the battle round, Remedios said, “I lost my job coming out here to follow my dreams. If I’m going to win this battle, I’m going to need to show John everything that I’m made of.”
She moseyed on the stage, representing her Texas roots with a teal cowgirl hat, turquoise jewelry and all the leather fringe. Remedios and her teammate Natasha Blaine, sang “Walk On By” by Dionne Warwick.
Kendra Remedios sings “Walk On By” in the battle round of Season 29 of NBC’s “The Voice.” Griffin Nagel NBC A North Texan’s battle round performance on NBC’s “The Voice”
During practice, Legend compared Remedios’ singing to Amy Winehouse, saying she has a “smoky” voice.
“Walk On By” is not Remedios’ typical country style. In contrast, the song choice was right up her competition’s alley.
“I feel like I’m very much like country soul, or like country blues. Instead of trying to be like ‘Oh, I’m just in the country lane, or I’m just in the soul lane,’ I really feel like I’m in the Kendra lane,” Remedios previously told the Star-Telegram.
And Remedios surely took on the song in Kendra style.
Natasha Blaine and Kendra Remedios face each other by singing “Walk On By” in the battle round of Season 29 of NBC’s “The Voice.” NBC Griffin Nagel/NBC
Her stage presence is contagious as she shimmies along with the music. When it’s her chance to sing, she powerfully belts out the words with authority and soul, riffing her way into the next line.
“The Voice” judge and Fort Worth native Kelly Clarkson told Remedios: “Kendra, you are ready to release the firecrackers.” Clarkson then leaned to her fellow judge, Legend, and said, “I would lean towards Kendra a little bit more.”
As Remedios waited for Legend’s decision, her eyes squeezed shut with hopes to beat Blaine and advance to the knockout round. But unfortunately for Remedios, Blaine was ultimately chosen.
“They both sounded great, but I slightly preferred Natasha’s approach,” Legend said.
“I was not expecting that,” said Blaine as she walked off stage.
Though Remedios will not advance to the next round, her fans can still catch her in the country music capital in Nashville at live music bars like The Local, Live Oak and Losers.
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Ella Gonzales is a service journalism reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. She is part of a team of local journalists who answer reader questions and write about life in North Texas. Ella mainly writes about local restaurants and where to find good deals around town.