On Thursday, a YouTube video featuring the blind audition of sixteen-year-old Anatalia Villaranda became the top trending video on the popular video sharing site with more than a million views since it was uploaded on Feb. 27.
Villaranda, a four-chair turner in the premiere episode of The Voice USA’s latest season, is the latest talk of the town after she covered Bruno Mars’s “Runaway Baby” as her audition piece.
The teen singer, who hails from California, is a full-blooded Filipino. Her mother is originally from Bacolod and her father is from Manila.
After her one-and-a-half minute performance, one of the highlights of the premiere episode, Grammy-award winning singer Gwen Stefani said she feels like she has an opportunity to share her experience with someone like Anatalia. She commented on her personality and passion for music.
Meanwhile, Adam Levine gushed, “The greatness that she has is something you can’t teach.” Blake Shelton, on the other hand, commented that he wants to make Villaranda ‘s hometown be known for her talent alone.
In the end, the teener chose R&B singer Alicia Keys who said Villaranda is more than just a voice.
“This is more than just a voice. This is an artist who is unafraid to express yourself (sic). I would like you to look in your heart and see how important it is for you to be on my team,” Keys exclaimed.
This isn’t the first time Villaranda joined a reality singing contest in the U.S. She also auditioned in the final season of American Idol.
