Photo courtesy of Tyler Golden/NBC.
2008 Mountain Brook High School graduate Sarah Simmons performs as one of the eight final contestants on The Voice this season. Sarah's mom and step dad, Peggy and Barry Jones, still reside in Mountain Brook.
Before auditioning for The Voice, Sarah Simmons had never heard of the TV show. In fact, she didn’t even have cable. Now, almost nine months later, she’s a household name.
The Mountain Brook native was eliminated on the 22nd episode of the hit TV show, but she doesn’t regret a moment of the journey.
“I felt like I was floating the entire time,” she said. “Being on that stage, performing for all those people and knowing that America was watching — it’s a crazy adrenaline rush.”
Simmons, 23, said starting with her blind audition she did not encounter an ounce of stage fright.
“The first performance was just so exciting, it felt so surreal.”
It was this first performance that immediately set Simmons apart as a stand-out on the show. Singing “One of Us” by Joan Osborne showcased her unique ability to go from singing beautiful, endearing high notes to belting with her signature raspy sound.
Participating on the show was no easy feat, however. Simmons revealed that the contestants kept up a hectic schedule, working from 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., with short breaks for lunch and dinner.
“One time,” Simmons said, “I recorded the iTunes version of my song at 1:30 a.m.”
Always positive, the singer referred to her work-filled days as “busy blessings.”
Of course, Simmons did not have to go through these “busy blessings” on her own. She cites friendships with fellow contestants as one of her favorite parts of the experience.
“It’s like a family,” she said. “It’s so calm. We rely on each other because it’s so intense. It’s crazy, but we were going through it together.”
Specifically, contestants (and crowd favorites) Judith Hill, Amber Kerrington, and Michelle Chamuel will continue to be close friends of Simmons.
As for her coach, Simmons does not doubt her choice. When she auditioned, all four celebrity mentors vied for a chance to work with Simmons, but she ended up picking Adam Levine, front man of popular band Maroon 5.
“He didn’t just treat me like a contestant, he treated me like a friend,” she said. “He genuinely cares about me.”
Levine remains invested in Simmons post-show career. He has advised her to move to Los Angeles and has expressed interest in signing her to Maroon 5’s label.
She also cultivated a friendship with fellow Voice coach and country music artist Blake Shelton. Simmons said she would run into Shelton backstage where he would often greet her with, “There’s Sarah Simmons, one of my favorite singers in the world.”
The fan base that sprung up around Simmons’ time on the show was new territory for the aspiring artist. Still adjusting to the attention and praise she is now receiving, Simmons’ humility shines through her interactions with fans.
“I was in this restaurant one night,” she said. “As I walked out of the restroom, this massive group of teenage girls just started screaming. And I was like, ‘Who’s here? What’s going on?’ Then I realized they were screaming about me. And then I started screaming too! When my fans get excited, I get excited.”
There’s one fan in particular Simmons will never forget. Her “name twin,” Sarah Ashley Simmons, 8 years old, is battling cancer. After her mom posted on the “Sarah Fights” Facebook page that the young Simmons wished to meet The Voice contestant, it wasn’t long before the two met at the show.
“[Sarah Ashley Simmons] got to go to the show and meet all of the coaches and everything.” Simmons said. “She could not express how much that memory means to her, and hopes to continue to bond with her fans.”
Throughout her time on the show, signs popped up all around Mountain Brook and Birmingham encouraging people to vote for Simmons, who was born and raised in the area.
“I saw pictures of the signs on Facebook,” she said. “That was awesome!”
Returning to Birmingham full time, however, is unlikely, she said.
“The South is always my home, and I’ll always have to come visit, but for now I believe the best (thing) for me to do is to move out west.”
The singer will officially move to L.A. at the end of July, and she is preparing to record her first album, which will be filled with her own music and lyrics.
If she doesn’t end up getting signed by Maroon 5’s label, Simmons is not worried.
“If it doesn’t work out with them, I know God has something better.”
All of Simmons’ performances from The Voice can be found on YouTube and purchased on iTunes. You can also follow her on Twitter at @SarahSimMusic.
