Amanda Mikkel had spent the past year and a half living in her car while working multiple jobs and sacrificing comfort to pursue her dream of becoming a singer. Then, on The Voice, she stepped onto the stage and delivered a performance of “Moon River” that left all four coaches fighting for her.
The 31-year-old singer performed Andy Williams’ classic song during the final Blind Audition of The Voice Season 30 premiere week.
But before she sang a single note, Mikkel revealed just how much she had already sacrificed to reach that moment.
A life built around chasing her dream
Mikkel explained that she was prepared to do whatever was necessary to make her musical ambitions a reality.
“I am ready and willing to do whatever it takes to make my dreams come true, which is why I hustle how I do,” she said. “It’s been mentally and spiritually a journey. I have sacrificed a great amount of comfort.”
That sacrifice was far greater than the coaches initially knew.
Mikkel revealed that she had been living out of her car for the past year and a half while working multiple jobs.
“I keep all my things in storage, and I pack a bag I need for the week and I keep it moving,” she explained.
Although she acknowledged that she could return home and live more comfortably, she said pursuing the path she believed in meant more to her.
“I could absolutely go home and be comfortable, but it means so much more that I’m doing exactly what I feel I should be doing.”
Then came her Blind Audition.
All four coaches turn for “Moon River”
Mikkel’s gentle rendition of “Moon River” immediately caught the coaches’ attention.
By the end of her performance, Kelly Clarkson, Riley Green, Adam Levine and Queen Latifah had all turned their chairs, giving Mikkel the coveted four-chair turn.
Levine, who was the first coach to turn around, praised the purity and softness of her voice.
“You have the purity, and you have the luxury, actually, of just having a beautiful voice, which means that, no matter what you’re singing, it’s going to be beautiful,” he said.
He added that he immediately connected with the “soulfulness” and softness in her vocals.
Clarkson also connected with Mikkel’s story. The singer and coach revealed that she had experienced periods in the past when she, too, had slept in her car.
“You’re willing to do that to make that dream happen, that’s a testament of how confident you are deep inside,” Clarkson told her.
She also emphasized that Mikkel’s voice stood apart from others and encouraged her to remember that she was special.
Queen Latifah and Riley Green join the praise
Queen Latifah was equally moved by the performance.
“You sound absolutely gorgeous,” she told Mikkel. “Everywhere you just traveled musically is everywhere I want to be.”
She also said she would love to accompany Mikkel on her journey and admitted that the performance had moved her.
Riley Green offered his own enthusiastic reaction, focusing on how naturally Mikkel had commanded the stage.
“That’s the first time someone has come out here and it didn’t feel like an audition,” he said. “It felt like a performance, and we were all here just lucky to get to watch you today.”
Green finished by telling her: “That was awesome.”
With all four coaches interested, Mikkel suddenly found herself at the center of a four-way battle for her voice.
Adam Levine makes the decision for her
Before the coaches could continue trying to convince Mikkel to join their respective teams, Levine made his move.
As the first coach to turn during her performance, Levine used the new First In Button, automatically securing Mikkel as a member of his team.
The moment was especially meaningful for Mikkel because Levine had already been her preferred choice.
“Adam using his First In Button on me is insane,” she said afterward.
“He was going to be my first pick, but I feel honored that he would even want to use that on me.”
For a singer who had spent 18 months living in her car, working multiple jobs and putting comfort aside to pursue music, the Blind Audition became a remarkable turning point.
Mikkel walked onto the The Voice stage carrying everything she had sacrificed with her—and walked away with all four coaches turned around and a place on Adam Levine’s team.
Following the conclusion of the Season 30 premiere week, The Voice continues airing Mondays on NBC.
