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Jordis Unga performs `Maybe I'm Amazed` on `The Voice.` (photo by Lewis Jacobs/NBC)
Jordis Unga performs "Maybe I'm Amazed" on "The Voice." (photo by Lewis Jacobs/NBC)

'The Voice': Welcome back, Jordis

by jmaloni
Thu, Feb 16th 2012 04:00 pm

Former "Rock Star: INXS" singer returns with new look, perspective

Behind the Screens with Joshua Maloni

Who is that girl in the red blazer with the big rock voice and familiar name auditioning on "The Voice"?

Certainly not the same dreadlocked singer who famously poured her heart into a cover of Nirvana's "The Man Who Sold the World" for audiences watching CBS' "Rock Star: INXS."

Right?

Well, it is the same Jordis Unga, but with a whole different look.

"I was really young when I did 'Rock Star.' I think I was 22," the dressed-up singer said following Monday's episode. "And, you know, it's been a lot of years. There's been a lot of growth. There's been a lot of changes. I've experimented with different types of music and, you know, different genres, different looks. Everybody's wondering where the dreads are? I haven't had those in -- like -- I haven't had those in years. And yes, I'm different. It's years -- it was years ago."

Since we last saw Jordis in 2005, noticeable external changes have occurred. But deep down, one thing has remained the same -- and it's what led to a bidding war for her services between coaches Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green and eventual winner Blake Shelton.

"I don't think the core of what I do as a vocalist has changed," Jordis said. "And the beauty about this experience happening for me right now is that I've experimented and done all those things and really my only interest now is to go back to why I started doing music in the first place: singing songs that are meaningful and, you know, trying to make people feel. That's always been my gift as a musician -- to really pull at people's heartstrings, you know?

"And that's what I enjoy about doing what I do, is the emotion and everything about that."

Since national TV audiences last saw her perform (she finished fifth in the Aussie band's bid for a new lead singer), "there were ups and downs," the now 29-year-old Jordis said. "There were record deals. There weren't. There were poor jobs. You know, like -- it's been such a journey for me to keep doing this for a living and to be able to -- I mean, not a lot of people get as many chances as I've gotten. And to be in this position again -- I'm so thankful and overwhelmed and it's -- it means a lot to me to be here, and I think it means a lot to people who have followed me throughout the years and all my successes; all my failures. I'm just holding on tight to this one and (will) take it as far as I can, for sure. Yes, that's it. It feels really good to be here."

 Jordis said she's a little older, a little wiser, and more capable of handling whatever opportunities come her way because of "The Voice."

"So, what would I do differently? I really just want to do me right now -- that's it," she said. "And hopefully I can come out of this with, you know, music that my fans can play in their homes, because I haven't gotten there yet. It's ridiculous. So, that's my goal."

"The Voice" airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on NBC. Follow "The Voice" online at http://www.nbc.com/the-voice, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/NBCTheVoice, and on Twitter at @NBCTheVoice and #TheVoice.

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