Former Largo Teen Idol winner Nathalie Hernandez wowed the celebrity judges on NBC's "The Voice" on Monday night, earning a spot on Christina Aguilera's team in the reality singing competition.
Hernandez was the first competitor to perform during blind auditions in Monday's episode, and after belting out the first few notes of Taylor Swift's "White Horse," she had Aguilera and fellow celebrity judge Blake Shelton hitting their buzzers and turning around their chairs to signify they wanted the 15-year-old singer to join their teams.
The Dunedin teen also won over judge Adam Levine but eventually opted to become one of 15 singers on Aguilera's team, who will advance to the show's next round.
"You seem like a natural storyteller," Aguilera told Hernandez. "I'd love to have you on my team."
"You have a unique ability to make people believe what you're singing up there, and I'm impressed by that," Shelton said. "Especially for a 15-year-old girl."
Hernandez is a Dunedin High student who previously attended San Jose Elementary. She won the 2011 Largo Teen Idol competition and has written and performed her own songs on YouTube.
"I'm just gonna do my best and give it all I've got," Hernandez told host Carson Daly before performing.
Hernandez, joined backstage by family and friends, said she had to miss her prom and her brother's graduation because of the singing competition.
"For a teenager those are pretty big sacrifices, but I'm definitely willing to give it up for this," Hernandez said.
"If I make it onto a team I think it would be life-changing for me. I mean, I know I'm young and I still have my whole life ahead of me, but I want to do this now."
Watch Hernandez's performance on YouTube.
The next episode of "The Voice" airs Tuesday night at 8 on NBC.
Related Coverage:
- Largo Teen Idol Winner To Appear Monday on NBC's 'The Voice'
- Student Takes Third at Teen Idol Competition
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