At just 14 years old, Brooklyn Marie is already chasing a dream that many aspiring musicians spend their entire lives pursuing. The Minnesota teenager has stepped onto the national stage of NBC’s The Voice, released original music and built a growing reputation as a performer. But her ambitions extend far beyond becoming a successful singer, and the reason behind her second career choice makes her story even more meaningful.
If music does not become her full-time career, Brooklyn hopes to become an ear, nose and throat doctor. Even more surprisingly, she has a very personal reason for choosing that medical specialty: her own childhood experiences with hearing problems and the doctors who helped her through difficult procedures.
It is an unusual ambition for someone who has already demonstrated so much musical promise, but Brooklyn’s story shows that her interest in music and her desire to help people are not necessarily separate paths.
The Alexandria, Minnesota, teenager recently shared details about her background with MPR News, offering a closer look at the experiences that shaped her interests long before television audiences became familiar with her name. Her musical journey began when she was just 3 years old, performing at a local community telethon in her hometown. What started as a childhood passion gradually developed into something much bigger.
Brooklyn began learning guitar at 7, and by the time she was 11, she was determined to perform professionally at local venues. She approached local musician Josie Nelson for advice about what it would take to become a working performer. Nelson explained that playing live required much more than simply knowing a few songs. Brooklyn needed a large repertoire, the ability to perform for extended periods and the confidence to adapt to different audiences.
Instead of being discouraged, the young musician took the advice seriously. She reportedly spent an entire summer practicing guitar and building a repertoire of approximately 100 songs. Her dedication became so intense that she recalled her fingers bleeding from playing so frequently.
Her first performance opportunity came at her elementary school’s picnic. From there, she gradually began performing at wineries, vineyards, breweries and other local events. By the time she reached The Voice, she had already gained experience performing for audiences considerably different from those watching a televised singing competition.
That background helps explain why Brooklyn appeared so comfortable when she finally received her opportunity on NBC.
During her Blind Audition, she performed Olivia Rodrigo’s “traitor” while accompanying herself on guitar. Her interpretation earned chair turns from Kelly Clarkson and Queen Latifah, giving her an important decision about which coach could best guide her through the competition.
Brooklyn ultimately chose Clarkson, a singer who understands the experience of competing on a televised talent show firsthand. Clarkson won the first season of American Idol before building a successful recording career and eventually becoming one of television’s most recognizable music coaches.
The decision proved rewarding when Brooklyn advanced through the Battle Rounds. She faced fellow Team Kelly contestant Kavi Nyx in a performance of David Guetta and Sia’s “Titanium.” Although both singers delivered memorable performances, Clarkson selected Brooklyn to continue in the competition.
The result attracted considerable attention, but Brooklyn’s journey is interesting for reasons that go beyond a single competition victory. Her growing musical career is already taking shape alongside her education and her interest in medicine.
In fact, Brooklyn’s medical ambitions are connected to an experience she remembers from childhood.
According to her interview with MPR News, she previously underwent procedures involving tubes placed in her ears to help address recurring infections. Unfortunately, she experienced serious complications that affected her eardrums. Her family was reportedly warned that she might not regain normal hearing.
For a young child who loved singing, the uncertainty surrounding her hearing must have been an especially difficult experience.
But something else stayed with her throughout those medical visits. Brooklyn remembered that before each procedure, a doctor would sing to her to help calm her nerves.
That small gesture made a lasting impression.
Rather than remembering only the fear and uncertainty surrounding her childhood medical experiences, she also remembered the kindness of the person who helped her feel more comfortable. It became an example of how a medical professional could make a difference in a child’s life without necessarily doing anything extraordinary.
Brooklyn now hopes to offer that same reassurance to other young patients if she eventually becomes a doctor.
She has explained that she would like to keep a guitar nearby so she could sing to children who feel frightened before medical procedures. The idea reflects the connection between the two things that matter most to her: music and helping others.
It is also a particularly personal ambition. Brooklyn understands what it feels like to be a child sitting in a medical setting, unsure about what will happen next. Having experienced that uncertainty herself, she hopes she could make similar situations less intimidating for other families.
Her dream is not simply about choosing a stable alternative if a music career does not work out. It appears to come from a genuine desire to use her own experiences to make somebody else’s difficult day a little easier.
Meanwhile, Brooklyn is continuing to develop her abilities as a musician.
Her interests extend beyond singing and guitar. She has also been studying piano, violin and music theory, giving her a broader understanding of how music works. She is a straight-A student, and reports about her background have described her as someone who takes both her education and musical responsibilities seriously.
She has also begun establishing herself as a songwriter rather than relying exclusively on covers.
Brooklyn has released two original singles, “Tired” and “i miss u,” which feature guitar prominently. She has explained that personal emotions and difficult experiences often inspire her songwriting. She is also working toward an album, an ambitious next step for someone still navigating high school and a nationally televised singing competition.
Her musical influences include Taylor Swift, whose ability to turn personal experiences into relatable songs has clearly made an impression on the young performer. Brooklyn has particularly connected with the idea of a small-town girl pursuing enormous dreams, something that reflects her own journey from Alexandria to national television.
There is another important part of her story that should not be overlooked: Brooklyn is still only 14.
The Voice has featured young contestants before, including Brynn Cartelli, who won the competition at 15 in 2018 under Clarkson’s coaching. That history gives Brooklyn an interesting example of what might be possible, although the teenager still has plenty of challenges ahead before she can think about matching that achievement.
Her performance experience may give her an advantage, but competing against experienced adult singers requires more than confidence. She will need to keep developing her vocal abilities, make thoughtful song choices and demonstrate that she can adapt as the competition becomes increasingly demanding.
For now, her focus remains on taking the next step.
What makes Brooklyn’s story particularly refreshing is that she does not appear to view success as having only one definition. She wants to perform, write songs and build a musical career, but she also has a vision of a future in which she can help children and their families through medicine.
Those ambitions might seem very different, yet they share something important: both involve connecting with people during meaningful moments in their lives.
In my view, that is what makes Brooklyn more interesting than simply another talented young contestant hoping to win a television competition. Her musical ability has given her a national platform, but her personal experiences have also given her a purpose that extends beyond the stage.
Whether she eventually becomes a recording artist, a physician or somehow manages to pursue both interests, her journey is only beginning.
Do you think Brooklyn Marie could become the next young breakout star of The Voice, or is her dream of becoming a doctor just as exciting as her musical ambitions? And how special would it be to see her one day using music to comfort children in a hospital, just as a doctor once did for her?
