At just 15 years old, Henriette Schei delivered a blind audition on The Voice Norway that left the coaches scrambling for their buttons. Her emotional rendition of Christina Aguilera’s “Hurt” began with a soft, soulful vocal before a breathtaking wordless melody less than 30 seconds into the performance prompted three coaches to turn their chairs almost simultaneously.
The young singer’s expression said it all. As the coaches reacted to her voice, Henriette broke into a delighted smile while her visibly emotional parents watched from the sidelines.
But that early vocal moment was only a glimpse of what she could do.
One vocal moment changed everything
Henriette opened the song with a delicate delivery, allowing the emotion of the lyrics to come through without overcomplicating the performance.
Then, around the 22-second mark, she moved into a wordless vocal flourish that showcased her control, range and distinctive tone. Three coaches responded immediately, turning their chairs to get a closer look at the teenager behind the voice.
As the song progressed, Henriette pushed into the higher notes of the chorus, building the intensity while maintaining the emotional character of Aguilera’s original.
Her combination of vocal power and sensitivity made the audition memorable. The coaches appeared captivated by the performance, while the reaction from her family added another touching moment to the scene.
Viewers were blown away by her talent
When The Voice Norway published Henriette’s audition online, the video attracted approximately 1.6 million views, drawing attention to the young singer’s performance.
Viewers praised her ability to deliver such a powerful vocal at an age when many singers are still developing their technique.
One viewer wrote, “Imagine singing like this when you’re 15 years old, what a legendary singer.”
Another commented, “For some reason I cried when the 3 turned. She has a beautiful voice. Wow.”
The reactions reflected the impact of watching a young performer win over the coaches with a song that demands both vocal control and emotional depth.
Henriette reveals another side with Elton John classic
Her audition with “Hurt” was not the only performance that demonstrated her potential during the competition.
In the knockout rounds, Henriette took on Elton John’s “I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues,” showcasing a different musical style from the dramatic ballad that first introduced her to viewers.
The performance embraced the song’s piano-rock sound and nostalgic atmosphere, giving her room to explore a more upbeat and playful approach.
It also demonstrated that Henriette was not limited to emotional ballads. She could adapt her voice and stage presence to a different genre while retaining the character that made her audition stand out.
From blind audition to the live shows
Henriette competed in the eighth season of The Voice Norway in 2023, successfully auditioning at just 15 years old.
Her performance of “Hurt” earned three early chair turns, followed by the fourth coach turning later in the song. With all four coaches ultimately interested in her, she secured a coveted place in the competition and joined Ina Wroldsen’s team.
During the battle rounds, Henriette performed Rihanna’s “Unfaithful” alongside fellow contestant Martine Gussiås.
She then continued into the knockout stage, where her performance of Elton John’s classic gave viewers another opportunity to hear her versatility. Later, she sang Little Mix’s “Wings” during the live shows.
Despite making it that far, Henriette’s journey came to an end after the live performance of “Wings,” and she was eliminated from the competition.
A performance that left a lasting impression
Although Henriette did not win The Voice Norway, her audition remains a standout moment from her time on the show.
The combination of her age, expressive delivery and impressive vocal range made her version of “Hurt” particularly striking. The rapid chair turns, her joyful reaction and the pride visible on her parents’ faces helped make the performance memorable for viewers.
Her later performances of songs by Elton John, Rihanna and Little Mix also highlighted her willingness to explore different musical styles.
For a 15-year-old singer stepping onto one of Norway’s biggest televised singing stages, Henriette Schei made a strong impression—and her audition showed just how much emotion and vocal ability she could bring to a song.
