From her recent performance on "The Voice" to singing with Michael Jackson, Judith Hill is poised to take a well-deserved place in the spotlight. Our Hollywood reporter Jonathan Shupack sits down with Judith to discuss her upbringing, Michael Jackson's impact on her career, and her shocking elimination from "The Voice".

A richly emotive vocal stylist and virtuosic piano player, Judith Hill has spent pretty much her whole life to arrive at this plateau. Musically minded from the start, she penned her first song at just four years old.

CCTV's Hollywood reporter Jonathan Shupack sits down with singer-songwriter Judith Hill to discuss her upbringing, Michael Jackson’s impact on her career, and her shocking elimination from "The Voice".

Q: Both of your parents are musicians; did they have the biggest influence on you?

A: Yeah, I mean it's because when you're a kid the sounds you hear every day come from dad pounding on the base and mom practicing piano, so I think that every day that their musicianship was ingrained in my head and I would learn so much from them just hearing their style. I'm half Japanese and half African-American. I think that it was always very special to have that Asian influence in my life especially because I would study Asian music and find ways to bring those influences into my music.

People always say opportunities dance with the ones who are ready. Judith Hill caught her biggest break when she was chosen to sing background for Michael Jackson during the star's "This Is It" tour in 2009.

Q: How did that experience with MJ change your music career? What did you learn from him as an artist?

A: I learned everything. I left that experience with a better understanding of what it means to be an artist and more importantly inspired that I want to dream big too. I want to create this amazing show. Michael was like the turning point of my life and where I really saw the whole picture.

Q: Now let's bring back the memories on your journey at "The Voice". Why did you audition for this competition, but not "American Idol" or "X Factor"?

A: Well, I really like "The Voice" because it was very positive and it was basically just about the artist, and I liked that the artist would develop every week and sing their own version of the covers. It seemed like just a very positive show mainly about the music and not much drama of other things. It really opened my eyes to see how many people watch the show. I didn't realize, you know?

As the forerunner of the competition, everybody thought Judith would be the winner until her surprising elimination.

Q: What did your coach Adam Levine say to you after your surprising elimination?

A: He was really upset that night. He was like, "You guys, don't let this discourage you." He was very much on our side. This is a TV show. He was very emotional.

Q: China licensed "The Voice" as well and it's called "The Voice of China". What advice do you have for the contestants in China?

A: For anyone auditioning my advice to them is to really pay attention to who you are as an artist and choose songs that really highlight the best parts of your voice, and pay attention to how people respond and what they like about you and play on your strengths. I think a show like "The Voice" is great because you learn so much about yourself.

Judith is now on the next leg of her great adventure. She'll be recording her debut solo release due out later this year, and like she said, "it's like that in this life. You just don't know what tomorrow holds for you."

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)