College of Charleston Student and Vocalist Grace-Miller Moody’s Passion Took Her to ‘The Voice’

Grace-Miller Moody has made it through the Battle Rounds to emerge as a contender to win the hit singing competition.

Grace-Miller Moody almost deleted the email that has changed her life.

“I honestly thought it was a scam,” she says when producers of The Voice, the hit NBC singing competition, asked her to come to Los Angeles after viewing her pre-audition video.

But it was for real, and she had her dad to thank after he convinced her to send in the audition tape.

“My dad was like, ‘You need to do this,’” she recalls “’This is your God-given gift, and you need to pursue it.’”

During the blind auditions on the season premiere Feb. 3, the psychology major got a rare four-chair turn from all four judges, meaning they all wanted her for their teams. That included Adam Levine, the lead singer of Maroon 5. Moody had chosen “Sunday Morning” because of what it meant to her family. Maroon 5 performed their upbeat song at a concert in Las Vegas that she and her family attended to celebrate her younger brother’s leukemia going into remission.

“The song makes me think of my family in general, like being with them on a Sunday morning or just sharing a really fun time with them,” Moody says. “So that was what I was thinking of when I was performing it.

“It was just an out-of-body experience,” she adds. “I was just trying to make it through the song, and then all of a sudden, all four chairs turned, and I was like, ‘What is happening?’”

It was the first time Levine had ever turned for one of his songs.

“I can definitely help you get to where you need to go because the potential for you is limitless,” he told her. “There was just something about you and what you were doing that was so infectious and so lovable and soulful. You can absolutely go all the way and win this thing.”

No surprise she chose to be on Levine’s team. She recently made it through the Battle Rounds singing “Use Somebody” by Kings of Leon and is now one of 32 contestants left.

As a young girl growing up in Florence, South Carolina, Moody loved to sing, whether it was belting out Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel” at home or taking the stage at local karaoke nights singing Abba’s “Dancing Queen.”

“I first got into music when I was able to talk and just start singing,” she recalls. “I’ve always sung around the house, and I’ve always loved singing.”

Despite coming from a family with no other musically inclined members, Moody’s passion for performing only grew stronger as she got older. It wasn’t until her sophomore year at the College that she started “gigging” at karaoke spots. These experiences solidified her desire to pursue music.

Moody has enjoyed her experience on The Voice, pointing out that she has gained newfound confidence in her abilities, and her voice has grown stronger as a result. She has also formed deep connections with fellow contestants, who have become trusted guides in the music industry. She’s even made a best friend on the show.

“I’ve never been in such a creative space or been surrounded by that many people that love the same thing that I do and have the same drive and passion,” Moody says. “This is honestly my favorite part of the entire experience.”

Moody now awaits the next level of competition – the Knockout Rounds, which begin March 31. During this stage, Moody will go up against another member of Levine’s team, competing for Levein’s decision to take them to the live shows.

Moody is ready for this next step in the competition and her career – wherever it ultimately takes her.

“If you dream big and if it’s something that you want, I definitely think you can get it and you can achieve it,’ she says. “Anytime you don’t think it’s worth it, think that it is.”

Moody’s Picks

Favorite place to study
The Rise Coffee Shop and Addlestone Library 

Favorite place to hang out
The Battery

Favorite place to sing
Tommy Condon’s Irish Pub & Restaurant on Monday nights

Favorite class (currently)
Music 292: Repertory Class: Voice with Sandy DeAthos-Meers, associate professor of music

Favorite campus organization
Alpha Delta Pi 

Social media handles 
Instagram – Gracemillermoody
TikTok – gm.moody21

Source: The College of Charleston Today