Farmington teenager Chevel Shepherd used her voice to win this season’s “The Voice” TV singing competition, but she almost lost her voice in the process.
Since being named the winner during Tuesday night’s show, the 16-year-old country singer has been swept up in a whirlwind of publicity, and her throat took a beating.
“I’m going to give that a break after all the interviews are over,” she said, barely audibly during a phone interview with The Durango Herald on Friday from California, where she has been since Nov. 3.
Shepherd, a junior at Farmington High School, was given a hero’s welcome Saturday in her hometown. It started with a police and fire escort through Aztec and Flora Vista and end with a welcome home rally at the high school.
At the Farmington High School Arena, Shepherd rushed to embrace some of her friends and family members from whom she has been separated since early November, when she traveled to Los Angeles to participate in the remainder of the 15th season on “The Voice,” the Farmington Daily Times reported.
She told the audience at the school: “I feel all the support and all the love, so thank you so much.”
She also said she plans a January concert in her hometown.
The 16-year-old won $100,000 and a recording contract with Universal Music group, and she’s already planning to begin work on an album after the new year, she said.
Shepherd’s journey to “Voice” victory began in February, she said. During the third episode of blind auditions, which aired in October, she chose to be on singer Kelly Clarkson’s team, causing quite a stir because she did not go with Blake Shelton, who seemed the obvious choice for a country singer.
After back and forth between the two judges, Shepherd ultimately went with Clarkson, and from there, it was not long before she was selected as the grand prize winner.
“It seems like it went by quick,” Shepherd said, adding that her life is already beginning to change.
“People just noticing me and stuff,” she said. “It’s been crazy.”
She said she will be back in school after the break.
For the teen, “getting to spend time with all the other artists and creating such great friendships” was the best part of the adventure. But, she said, being away from her father was a challenge.
Shepherd said that as a teenager coming from a small, Four Corners city, her experience has left her with pretty big life lessons.
“You can do anything your heart desires, and you should always follow your dreams and always be yourself,” she said.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
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