Published: Oct. 4, 2017
A second chance to make a first impression
Richfield’s Hannah Mrozak makes a 2nd debut
on a reality singing competition
ndettmann@conleynet.com
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Richfield’s Hannah Mrozak, now 19, believes she
is ready to show the world how far she has come as a singer, a performer and as
a person, while also using tragedy as her motivator to hopeful stardom.
On Monday night’s episode of NBC’s “The Voice,”
the Slinger High School graduate selected Adam Levine, the lead singer for the
pop-rock band Maroon 5, as her coach for the show’s 13th season.
“I remember vaguely being on stage,” Mrozak
said Tuesday in a telephone interview. “Seeing myself on stage and national
television was surreal. It’s hard to describe. I have a lot of emotions going
through my head right now. I’m very grateful; super blessed.”
“The Voice” is a reality television singing
competition. The twist on the show compared to Fox’s “American Idol” is the
aspiring talent is judged by their voices. Each of four judges — this season
the judges are Levine, Blake Shelton, Jennifer Hudson and Miley Cyrus — face
the crowd, only listening to the voice on stage. When they hear a voice they
like, they hit a button and their chair spins around. From there, the talent on
stage, like Mrozak, selects a judge who they believe will best teach them the
ins and outs of singing and performing.
The winner receives $100,000 and a recording
contract. Past winners include Cassadee Pope (Season 3), Danielle Bradberry
(Season 4) and Chris Blue (Season 12).
The blind auditions were recorded several weeks
ago. The live competitions, Mrozak said, start in late November.
During Monday night’s episode, which included
Mrozak’s blind audition, three of the four judges turned around as she sang
“Starving” by Hailee Steinfeld. Those judges were Shelton, Levine and Hudson.
Shelton was the first to turn around, 18 seconds into her song, quickly
followed by Levine and Hudson.
“I wasn’t expecting them to turn around,”
Mrozak said. “I was hoping one to go around.
It was absolutely insane.”
“It was two emotions,” she added. “Now they can
see me and now, ‘Oh my God.’ It was craziness. My mind was blank. But, a huge
weight was lifted off my shoulder. I let loose a little bit.”
After her song, Levine, Shelton and Hudson each
shared their critique of Mrozak’s performance.
“You could be a really proficient, skillful
singer, but still not have tone,” Levine said during the episode. “But, because
you have both, that’s what really sets you apart.”
Hudson said Mrozak has a beautiful voice, while
Shelton commended Mrozak’s comfort on stage.
That took some work, Mrozak said.
The last time most of the world saw Mrozak, she
was a 15-year-old with big dreams, appearing on “American Idol.”
On Tuesday, she admitted when she looked back
on that experience, she wasn’t ready.
“I was so young when I did ‘Idol,’” she said.
Mrozak made it to the top 48 out of the
auditions, but failed to advance to the top 24.
But it was a rewarding and lifechanging experience
for her.
“It kind of molded me into the performer I am,”
Mrozak said. “I grew into my own skin. I just got another sense of confidence I
didn’t know I have. It gave me more stage presence.
“There’s no doubt in my mind I’ve matured as a
performer and a person.”
This year’s attempt on “The Voice” is her third
attempt.
“I’m grateful didn’t make it the last two
times,” Mrozak said. “I don’t think I was ready.”
And a big step for her in the maturity process
happened with the sudden passing of her 15-yearold brother, Mason, in February.
He committed suicide. Hannah learned he did because he was a victim of
bullying.
“It has been very hard,” Hannah said.
Hannah and Mason, she said, were close. Mason
was her biggest fan and No. 1 supporter. Hannah thought she lost a piece of
herself with Mason’s passing.
“I was definitely not motivated,” she said. “I
went into quite a funk.”
It wasn’t long until she got back on stage.
However, when she did, it was awkward.
“It felt awkward especially knowing that I
can’t be my true self,” Hannah said. “It was like an out of body experience.”
She continued to do some soulsearching. Then,
about two months after Mason’s death, Hannah had an epiphany.
“I finally realized this is what he wanted. I
have to pick myself up,” she said.
Suddenly with a surge in confidence, Hannah was
back on stage. It felt great.
“It was just so reassuring,” she said. “I knew
that this is go time. This is what I have to focus my life on. He believe in
me. I believe in me.”
Armed with confidence, Mrozak believes the time
is perfect to inch closer to her dream of being a recording artist.
“I’m very excited to show America my progress,”
Mrozak said.
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